Northeast snowstorm cancels 5,000+ flights; airlines activate flexible policies

A major winter storm is battering the northeastern United States, knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes and leading officials in New York City and New Jersey to impose a travel ban, reports say.

Around 59 million people are under weather alerts, with states of emergency declared throughout the region. Multiple states have introduced travel restrictions or bans as the blizzard intensifies, and thousands of flights have been cancelled.

Meteorologists have warned that large parts of the northeastern U.S. and Canada’s maritime provinces would face severe conditions from Sunday night through Monday (Feb. 23).

“Nor’easters,” they’re called, are powerful low-pressure systems that intensify along the eastern coast of the United States. The storms form when very cold polar air clashes with much warmer, moist air over the ocean, which has been heated by the Gulf Stream.

The difference in temperature strengthens the jet stream, allowing low-pressure systems to rapidly intensify into major storms.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, between 30 to 60 centimetres of snow is possible in many areas.

States of emergency were announced in New York City, Philadelphia, and other cities, along with multiple states from Delaware to Massachusetts, as authorities ramped up preparedness measures.

“The combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds will continue to produce blizzard conditions along the Northeastern Seaboard,” the weather service said Monday. “Sharply reduced visibility will make travel extremely treacherous across these areas.”

5,000+ flights cancelled

As of Monday (Feb. 23), more than 5,000 flights within, into or out of the U.S. have been cancelled, and almost 600 more are delayed.

According to FlightAware, the two airports with the most cancellations - John F Kennedy and LaGuardia - are based in New York.

As of 6 a.m., JFK had 1,086 cancellations; LaGuardia, 1,025 cancellations; Boston Logan, 968 cancellations; Newark Liberty International, 861 cancellations; Philadelphia International, 602 cancellations

JetBlue, which has cancelled 776 flights, says customers can expect "significant disruptions and cancellations" until Feb. 24.

Air Canada and Porter Airlines have activated flexible change options for travellers flying from Canada to U.S. destinations impacted by the winter weather.

The policies also apply to Atlantic Canada destinations like Halifax, Moncton and Charlottetown.

WestJet, too, is waiving change fees for customers impacted by winter weather, specifically those flying out of Halifax. Click here for more.

According to the U.S. Weather Service, the snow is expected to taper off by Monday afternoon.

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