Winter storm batters the U.S., triggering mass flight cancellations, school disruptions and power outages

A major winter storm stretching across wide parts of the United States is delivering a mix of heavy snow, sleet and ice that is rippling through transportation, schools and basic services. The storm’s footprint has been especially punishing in the East and parts of the South, where ice has brought down trees and power lines and made roads hazardous. Officials in multiple states urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, while emergency services warned that even short trips could become dangerous if vehicles slide or become stranded in rapidly dropping temperatures.

Air travel has taken one of the biggest hits. Flight-tracking data showed more than 20,000 flights canceled from Saturday through Monday morning, and the disruptions were still intensifying early Monday with thousands more cancellations and delays already posted. Major airport systems serving New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., recorded extremely high cancellation rates as airlines struggled to reposition crews and aircraft and keep runways safe. Carriers issued travel waivers so customers could rebook without change fees, a step airlines often take when they expect multi-day operational fallout.

Schools across multiple regions also altered schedules in response to the storm, with many districts closing entirely and others moving to remote learning. In some cities, districts canceled after-school activities and adult education programs to limit travel on icy roads and to keep buses off routes where conditions were deteriorating. Administrators cited both road safety and concerns about students and staff losing power at home, since extended outages can make buildings and neighborhoods difficult to access.

Power outages continued to mount in areas that experienced the worst icing. Utility crews worked to restore service while weather conditions remained volatile, and some local officials warned that restoration timelines could stretch longer than usual if additional ice accretions or heavy snowfall continued to break branches and topple lines. Emergency shelters and warming centers were activated in some communities for residents facing prolonged cold without electricity.

Meteorologists said the storm was affecting a broad swath of the country and that recovery could take time even after precipitation moves out, because roads must be cleared, airports must catch up on backlogs, and power companies must repair infrastructure. Authorities emphasized layered safety messages: check on neighbors, avoid overexertion while shoveling, keep generators outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and monitor updates from local officials as conditions shift hour by hour.

What to watch next

• Airlines’ recovery pace, as canceled flights create ripple effects for crews and aircraft positioning through midweek.
• Local decisions on school reopenings, especially where roads remain icy or buses cannot safely operate.
• Power-restoration timelines in icing corridors, where additional freezing precipitation can cause repeat outages.
• Public safety advisories tied to extreme cold exposure, particularly for people without reliable heat.