Slow-moving storm threatens weekend travel along U.S. East Coast

A slow-moving storm is expected to bring strong winds, heavy rain and coastal flooding to parts of the northeastern United States this weekend, prompting Air Canada and WestJet to issue travel advisories.

The storm is expected to move slowly near the Mid-Atlantic coast, with conditions affecting parts of the region and coastal New England through the weekend. 

The U.S. National Weather Service has issued marine storm warnings for waters off New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, citing strong winds and hazardous seas.

In a travel notice posted Thursday (Sept. 24), Air Canada said the storm could affect travel to, from or through airports in the region. 

The airline has introduced a policy allowing affected customers to change their flights at no charge.

WestJet has posted a strong-winds advisory for travel to or from New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports and Boston between Sept. 25 and 27. 

The storm has already changed one cruise itinerary. 

According to Royal Caribbean Blog, Royal Caribbean replaced Vision of the Seas’ nine-night Canada and New England itinerary, scheduled to depart Baltimore on Thursday (Sept. 24), with a sailing to Florida and the Bahamas to avoid forecast conditions along its original route. 

The revised itinerary includes Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport.

Royal Caribbean Blog also reported that passengers on the ship’s preceding voyage were notified Wednesday (Sept. 23) that its return to Baltimore would be delayed until as it navigated around strong winds. 

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