Historic US Storm Forces 10,200 Flight Cancellations, Paralyzing East Coast Travel.

A monster winter storm has paralyzed the eastern and southern United States. The severe weather brought heavy snow and dangerous ice. This led to massive commercial aviation disruption across the nation.

More than 10,200 US flights were canceled on Sunday alone. This followed over 4,000 cancellations on Saturday. The total number of affected flights is among the highest since the pandemic.

Aviation Operations Halted

Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) saw a complete shutdown. Airlines canceled all flights scheduled for Sunday at the airport. Other major hubs faced significant challenges. Airports in Atlanta, Boston, and New York City saw many morning cancellations.

Delta Air Lines (DAL) announced a reduced schedule for Sunday. The airline’s operations were subject to real-time frozen precipitation. Delta adjusted its Saturday schedule proactively. The carrier moved experts from cold-weather hubs. These teams support de-icing and baggage operations at southern airports.

Other major carriers also reported high cancellation rates. This highlights the widespread impact of the storm. Aviation analytics from FlightAware tracked the rapid rise in US flight cancellations.

Infrastructure and Travel Impacts

The storm’s reach extended from New Mexico to New England. It brought dangerously frigid temperatures and freezing rain. This created prolonged hazardous travel conditions.

Infrastructure suffered severe damage across multiple states. More than 850,000 US customers were without electricity on Sunday. Tennessee was the hardest-hit state for power outages. Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana also reported over 100,000 outages each.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent warnings. The forecast called for heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast. New England could see up to 18 inches of snow. Freezing rain was expected across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Government Response and Outlook

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) actively managed air traffic flow. The goal was to mitigate cascading delays. President Donald Trump called the storms "historic." He approved federal emergency disaster declarations for twelve states. Seventeen states and the District of Columbia declared weather emergencies. Authorities urged citizens to stock up on fuel and food.

The aviation industry faces a complex recovery. Airlines must reposition aircraft and crews quickly. The forecast for bitterly cold temperatures will continue to affect operations. This severe weather event underscores the need for robust winter operational planning.

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