Hundreds of flights were cancelled at New York’s major airports as a significant winter storm moved into the city and neighbouring regions.
The National Weather Service said New York City and surrounding areas could receive 15cm to 23cm of snow, with a winter storm warning in effect from 4pm on Dec 26 to 1pm on Dec 27 local time.
The heaviest snowfall is expected from 6pm on Dec 26 to midnight, with snowfall rates of 2.5cm to 5cm an hour, the agency said.
FlightAware data showed more than 1,700 flights across the United States had been cancelled as of 3.12pm on Dec 26. About half were linked to flights arriving at or departing from New York City’s three major airports: LaGuardia, JFK and Newark. Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston also reported cancellations and delays.
New York City issued a travel advisory for the duration of the storm, warning that cold temperatures could limit snowmelt and increase the risk of slippery and hazardous road conditions.
The National Weather Service said the winter storm warning extended from NYC to north-east New Jersey, the Lower Hudson Valley, and parts of Long Island and Connecticut. Some areas could see snowfall exceed 25cm in the heaviest bands.
“Road conditions will be treacherous for those traveling back from the holiday,” the weather service said.
