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Winter Storm Halts Hundreds of NYC Flights, Delays Subside as Alerts Lifted

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Flight disruptions reach hundreds across NYC airports Over the weekend, severe winter weather forced 193 delays and 124 cancellations at JFK, 131 delays and 112 cancellations at LaGuardia, and 251 delays with 14 cancellations at Newark, according to NYC Emergency Management [1]. The surge in disruptions coincided with forecasters warning of several inches of snow and hazardous travel conditions [1]. Airlines and passengers faced widespread schedule changes until the storm’s intensity began to wane [1].

Snow forecast calls for two distinct waves The National Weather Service in New York projected snowfall in two separate bursts, with northern and western suburbs receiving the first wave and rates climbing late Sunday into the night after a brief lull [1]. The second wave was expected to bring additional accumulation, especially where surface temperatures remained below freezing [1]. Meteorologists highlighted the timing of the waves as a key factor in planning airport operations and road maintenance [1].

Accumulation varies with temperature and rain mix Snow totals on Long Island and coastal regions depended heavily on whether rain or snow dominated, creating uncertainty in precise forecasts [1]. Early reports showed a few tenths to a couple of inches of snow across parts of Connecticut and New Jersey by mid‑afternoon [1]. Warmer surface temperatures in some areas led to a rain‑snow mix, reducing overall snowfall depth [1].

Travel advisories issued and later lifted Authorities issued travel guidance urging passengers to check flight status and warned of hazardous conditions, while Newark Airport specifically advised travelers to verify airline information [1]. By early Monday, lingering snow remained in southern Connecticut and Suffolk County, but most alerts for the New York City area had been lifted [1]. The New York Post noted that delays at JFK and LaGuardia were largely resolved by Sunday night, signaling a return to normal operations [1].

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Timeline

Dec 26, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul declares a state of emergency in more than half of New York’s counties as a powerful winter storm approaches, mobilizing state resources and coordinating response across the region [1]. New Jersey follows suit, issuing its own emergency declaration [1]. The pre‑emptive action signals the seriousness of the weather threat and aims to protect public safety.

Dec 26, 2025 – Central Park records 4.3 inches of snow, the first accumulation over four inches since January 2022’s 8.3‑inch event, while other parts of the state see up to 7.5 inches [1][4]. This marks one of the season’s most significant early‑winter snowfalls and sets the stage for widespread disruptions.

Dec 26, 2025 – Air travel grinds to a halt: more than 900 flights cancel in the New York area and over 8,000 flights delay nationwide, reflecting the storm’s reach during the busy post‑Christmas travel window [1]. FlightAware tracks >9,300 delays and >1,000 cancellations across the country, with JFK, LaGuardia and Newark experiencing up to two‑hour delays [2].

Dec 26, 2025 – Emergency protocols activate: “Code Blue” is triggered to shelter homeless individuals, and the National Weather Service issues black‑ice warnings as temperatures stay below freezing [1]. These measures aim to prevent cold‑related injuries and hazardous road conditions.

Dec 27, 2025 – Hochul escalates the response, declaring a disaster emergency in several counties to expand state resources for transportation, utilities and public safety [4]. She urges residents to “exercise extreme caution” as forecasts call for 4‑8+ inches of snow across New England [4].

Dec 27, 2025 – Acting Governor Tahesha Way declares a state of emergency in New Jersey, aligning with New York’s actions and urging travelers to avoid discretionary travel [5][8]. The coordinated declarations underscore the regional scale of the storm.

Dec 27, 2025 – Snow totals surge: 6‑10 inches fall from Syracuse to Long Island, with Central Park again logging 4.3 inches [1][7]. The heavy accumulation creates treacherous road conditions and complicates snow‑removal efforts.

Dec 27, 2025 – Transportation agencies mobilize: New York deploys 1,600 snowplows, pretreats key highways, and shifts transit crews to emergency response, including de‑icer trains and replacement of articulated buses with standard models [5]. This operational shift highlights the storm’s impact on daily commuter services.

Dec 27, 2025 – Airlines waive change fees for affected passengers, easing rebooking amid thousands of cancellations and delays [7]. The consumer relief reflects the scale of disruption and the industry’s effort to maintain goodwill.

Dec 27, 2025 – Meteorologists warn the storm could intensify into a bomb cyclone over the Great Lakes, potentially bringing whiteout conditions and strong winds to the Upper Midwest [5]. The forecast adds urgency to preparedness measures across a broad swath of the country.

Dec 28, 2025 – Major airports post snow warnings on X; the National Weather Service notes the storm is winding down but pockets of heavy snow persist, especially on Long Island (6 inches) and the Catskills (up to 10 inches) [6]. Ongoing advisories keep travelers cautious as conditions improve.

Dec 28, 2025 – By day’s end, more than 9,000 flights have been canceled or delayed nationwide, with the New York metropolitan area bearing the brunt [7]. The TSA still expects 2.86 million travelers on Sunday, indicating continued pressure on security checkpoints [2].

Jan 19, 2026 – A new winter storm hits the New York area, disrupting hundreds of flights: JFK records 193 delays and 124 cancellations, LaGuardia 131 delays and 112 cancellations, and Newark 251 delays and 14 cancellations [3]. The event demonstrates the region’s vulnerability to successive storms in a short period.

Jan 19, 2026 – The NWS forecasts snowfall in two waves, with early accumulation of a few tenths to a couple of inches by mid‑afternoon and later heavier rates that could affect Long Island and coastal zones depending on temperature and rain‑mix [3]. The complex forecast underscores challenges for commuters and emergency planners.

Jan 19, 2026 – By Sunday evening, delays at JFK and LaGuardia are largely resolved, but lingering snow persists in Southern Connecticut and Suffolk County, prompting continued travel advisories and a warning from Newark Airport to check flight status [3]. The gradual easing illustrates the effectiveness of coordinated response efforts.

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