Heavy snowfall disrupted holiday travel in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions, with more than a thousand flights delayed or canceled as large numbers of people took to US roads and airports during the busy period between Christmas and New Year’s.
Meanwhile, New York City saw less than three inches of snow, about half of what some forecasters had originally predicted, the AP reported.
Even so, the storm caused widespread disruption and forced the cancellation of at least 1,500 flights from Friday night into Saturday, according to data from flight-tracking service FlightAware.
Warning for hazardous weather conditions
Several airports across the United States, including Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, issued snow warnings on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Friday.
The aim of the posts was to warn passengers that adverse weather conditions can lead to disruption of air traffic.
Snow plows clear snow on December 26, 2025 in New York City. New York, the largest city in the US, braced for up to 25 centimeters of snow overnight, the most in four years.(AFP)
The National Weather Service also issued similar warnings, saying hazardous travel conditions are likely from the Great Lakes through the northern Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, with the potential for tree damage and power outages.
Meanwhile, meteorologists expected the storm to weaken by Saturday morning.
New York declares a state of emergency
In response to the possibility of severe weather conditions, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for more than half of the state.
Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way followed by declaring a state of emergency for all of New Jersey, “due to a severe winter storm causing hazardous weather conditions, including heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain,” the AP quoted him as saying.
“This storm will cause dangerous road conditions and affect holiday travel,” Way added in a statement.
Snow-covered Central Park in New York on December 27, 2025.(AFP)
She also urged people to avoid travel during the storm and allow crews to service the roads. Drivers are also advised to plan their journey accordingly, constantly monitor road conditions and closures, and follow all necessary safety protocols for their own comfort.
The warnings come after a fast-moving winter storm swept through the Tri-State area overnight, bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, the National Weather Service (NWS) New York said.
The latest data from NWS New York shows light snowfall across New York, with higher totals east and northeast of the metro area.
