Additional Coverage:
- Travelers face chaos as snow paralyzes New York airports with over 1,000 flights delayed (themirror.com)
Winter Storm Snarls NYC Area Airports, Delays Thousands of Flights
A winter storm sweeping across the Northeast on Sunday morning has thrown a wrench into travel plans, particularly for those flying in and out of New York City’s major airports. As of Sunday morning, more than 1,000 flights bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) alone have experienced delays, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA reported that “due to snow or ice,” arriving flights at JFK are facing an average delay of three hours and 16 minutes, with some delays extending up to four hours and 53 minutes.
Ground stops were implemented at both JFK and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) around 8 a.m. ET, temporarily halting departing flights at their terminal gates.
While these ground stops were expected to lift by 10:30 a.m. ET, the ripple effect has caused significant delays for both incoming and outgoing flights.
The travel woes extend beyond New York City. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has also seen disruptions to over 700 flights due to the wintry conditions.
NYC Emergency Management issued an alert on X at 9:03 a.m., confirming the ground stops for departures to JFK and LaGuardia, meaning planes headed to these airports were held at their departure locations. Additionally, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) departures were delayed by approximately 170 minutes due to snow and ice.
LaGuardia Airport is grappling with 165 delayed flights and 128 cancellations, according to Flightaware. Departure delays at LGA are averaging one hour and 30 minutes and are on the rise, while arrival delays are averaging one hour and 24 minutes and are currently decreasing. Newark Liberty International Airport is operating under a Ground Delay Program, which limits the rate of incoming flights.
NYC Emergency Management strongly advised residents, “Don’t travel if you don’t have to. If you do, use mass transportation and allow for extra travel time.
Check with airlines before heading to the airport.” The agency also noted that “Emergency crews are actively responding across the five boroughs to the snow.”
Updated Snowfall Forecast for New York City
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory that was in effect from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon, concluding at 1 p.m. ET.
As of Sunday morning, the NWS reported the following snowfall totals for the New York City area:
- New York City:
Central Park: 1.1 inches
* LaGuardia Airport: 1.7 inches
* JFK Airport: 2.6 inches
* Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island: Reports ranging from 1.7 to 2.6 inches
- Long Island:
Islip Airport: 2.4 inches
* Centereach: 2.8 inches
* Poquott: 2.9 inches
* Miller Place: 3.5 inches
* 2 NNW Islip: 4.0 inches
The NWS’s updated snowfall forecast indicates that “As the precipitation ends from west to east this afternoon, the area should see a region-wide 3 to 6 inches before all is said and done.” Long Island is expected to receive the highest amounts, with more than 6 inches and potentially up to 8 inches.
New York City Emergency Management urged New Yorkers to remain indoors if possible while the winter weather advisory is active. For those venturing outside, the city recommends wearing warm clothing, exercising caution on snow and ice, and wearing sturdy shoes to prevent slips and falls. Residents are also warned that temperatures are expected to drop tonight, which could cause wet surfaces to freeze.