As a powerful winter storm continues to batter the United States, more than 1,300 flights were canceled and hundreds more were delayed this Monday. The storm, which has been sweeping across the nation since the weekend, brought heavy snowfall and chilling winds. According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, a total of 1,306 flights had been canceled and 414 were delayed as of 5:00 am Miami time.
Southwest Airlines was hit hardest, with 264 flights called off, while American Airlines canceled 176 flights. Other major airlines such as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also faced disruptions. At Washington, DC's Reagan National Airport, 234 flights were canceled, accounting for 58% of all scheduled flights, marking the highest number of cancellations in the country.
The storm also took a toll on rail services, with over 20 train cancellations reported on Sunday, more than 40 planned for Monday, and two already scheduled for Tuesday, according to AP. The onslaught of snow, wind, ice, and frigid temperatures created hazardous travel conditions from the Midwest and South to the East Coast, where the National Guard had to rescue hundreds of stranded drivers.
The bitter cold forced the closure of schools and government offices in several states. Additionally, nearly 300,000 customers experienced power outages early Monday across Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
Meteorologists forecast that temperatures will plummet by 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 14 degrees Celsius) starting Monday. Jon Palmer from the National Weather Service indicated that northeastern states could face several cold days following a mostly mild start to winter. "Cold air will likely impact the eastern U.S. down to southern Georgia, with some East Coast areas seeing single-digit lows," he noted.
The Weather Prediction Center warned of dangerously cold temperatures in the coming days, extending into Florida, where severe frosts are expected to reach the southern regions.
Impact of the Winter Storm
Which airlines were most affected by the storm?
Southwest Airlines and American Airlines were among the airlines most affected, with 264 and 176 flights canceled respectively.
How did the winter storm impact ground transportation?
The storm caused over 20 train cancellations on Sunday, with more planned for Monday and Tuesday, and created hazardous road conditions that required the National Guard to rescue stranded drivers.
What areas experienced power outages due to the storm?
Power outages affected nearly 300,000 customers across Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and Missouri.