More than 3,000 flights have been canceled at major New York City–area airports as a historic blizzard is expected to bring at least two feet of snow to the region. Severe winter conditions forecast for Sunday have already prompted airlines to ground flights at key hubs, including JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, as well as airports in Philadelphia and Boston. Cancellations are expected to increase once snowfall begins, according to FOX Weather.
Major airlines such as Delta, American, and United have suspended numerous flights in the New York and Boston areas ahead of the powerful nor’easter. JetBlue has also reduced approximately 40% of its Sunday schedule, based on FlightAware data.
The airline also canceled 24% of its scheduled flights for Monday.
American Airlines announced it will suspend operations at LaGuardia, JFK, and Philadelphia beginning Sunday afternoon, with service expected to resume on Tuesday.
In a statement reported by WABC, the airline said teams are working around the clock and plan to restart operations at affected airports as soon as weather conditions allow safe travel on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Cancellations and delays could continue through Wednesday as major carriers implement winter travel waivers for impacted airports.
The powerful storm is forecast to begin Sunday and intensify into Monday, bringing wind gusts exceeding 60 mph and snowfall rates of up to three inches per hour. Forecasters warn the system could cause widespread power outages and coastal flooding, affecting more than 30 million people from Delaware and Maryland to New York and Boston.
A state of emergency has been declared for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County starting Sunday morning. The storm is expected to deliver 18 to 24 inches of snow to New York City alone.
AccuWeather senior meteorologist Carl Erickson described the system as a “major nor’easter,” warning of very strong winds and dangerous travel conditions.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey from 6 a.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue into mid-Monday morning before gradually tapering off later in the afternoon.
Credit: NYPOST
