A severe winter storm sweeping across the U.S. caused widespread disruptions, particularly on the East Coast, leading to more than 1,000 flight cancellations as the work week began.
Originating in the Rockies, the storm brought heavy ice and snow to over a dozen states, with snow expected to hit northern Virginia, central Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey by Monday.
warnings of hazardous travel conditions, especially in the mid-Atlantic region, including Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.
By Monday morning, more than 1,490 flights were canceled, adding to the over 1,800 cancellations the previous day, according to FlightAware. Most of Monday’s cancellations were concentrated around the Washington D.C. metro area, with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) seeing over 230 cancellations, making up 60% of its schedule. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) also experienced significant disruptions.
Southwest Airlines had the most cancellations, followed by Republic Airways and American Airlines. To help affected travelers, airlines like Delta, United, American, Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier issued flight waivers for several states. In response to the storm, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a Snow Emergency, while Maryland and New Jersey governors declared States of Emergency, urging people to avoid travel.
