Heavy snow in the Northeast and an atmospheric river on the West Coast disrupted holiday travel across major U.S. airports. FlightAware's "Misery Map" reported more than 1,029 delays and 351 cancellations as of Friday evening, with JFK and Newark seeing the largest cancellation totals. San Francisco and Los Angeles also experienced numerous weather-related delays. Travelers should check airline notifications and FlightAware for real-time updates.
Holiday Travel Chaos: FlightAware 'Misery Map' Shows 1,000+ Delays and 350+ Cancellations Across U.S. Coasts
Major US airports report major delays and cancellations the day after Christmas due to weather conditions.Jim Vondruska/Getty Images
Winter storms and an intense atmospheric river collided with holiday travel this week, producing widespread delays and cancellations at major U.S. airports on both the East and West coasts. FlightAware's real-time "Misery Map" showed more than 1,029 delays and 351 cancellations across the country's largest hubs as of 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday.
East Coast: Heavy Snow Moving In
The storm system that earlier struck the Midwest shifted eastward and is expected to bring significant, accumulating snowfall to the Northeast, including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service forecast 3 to 7 inches for New York City with locally higher amounts possible.
"Snow is expected to develop Friday afternoon and intensify into steady, accumulating snow Friday night,"NYC Emergency Management said in a statement, warning travelers to expect difficult conditions.
JFK International Airport is experiencing more than 369 cancellations and 210 delays.Screenshot
Airport-specific tallies from FlightAware showed John F. Kennedy International Airport with 369 cancellations (210 of those on Friday alone) and Newark Liberty International Airport with at least 244 cancellations. Flights from the New York metro area bound for Chicago, Detroit and Denver were among the hardest hit.
West Coast: Recovery After Record Rainfall
On the West Coast, California communities were recovering after an atmospheric river brought heavy rain, high winds, flooding and mudslides. The National Weather Service said Los Angeles experienced its wettest Christmas season in 54 years.
San Francisco International Airport reported 153 delays Friday morning due to windy conditions; FlightAware counted about 381 delayed departures from SFO by midday. Los Angeles International Airport had a combined total of about 283 delays and 41 cancellations affecting routes to Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver and several East Coast destinations.
Los Angeles International Airport is seeing a total of 283 delays and 41 cancellations.Screenshot
Police briefly closed Terminal 1 at SFO after a report of a suspicious package; the terminal was later reopened and operations resumed.
Context: A Difficult Year for Air Travel
These disruptions cap a turbulent year for U.S. air travel. Earlier in the year, several high-profile incidents and operational challenges — including air accidents, staffing strains tied to a temporary government shutdown and other disruptions — contributed to heightened passenger concern and intermittent service problems.
What Travelers Should Do
If your flight is scheduled in the coming hours or days, check directly with your airline and use FlightAware or your carrier's app for the latest status. Allow extra time for travel to and through airports, expect longer security and baggage wait times, and consider rebooking options if your plans are flexible.
Data source: FlightAware "Misery Map" and local National Weather Service updates (status as reported at 6:45 p.m. ET on Friday).
