Just when travelers thought they had their holiday plans all sorted out, the skies turned into a chaotic mess. Thousands of U.S. flights were either canceled or delayed, leaving passengers stranded and frustrated as a fierce winter storm loomed over the North East. It's a nasty piece of timing during the peak travel season.

Massive Disruption

As of Friday afternoon, close to 1,500 flights had already been scrapped and a staggering 5,400 faced delays. FlightAware, a flight tracking website, painted a grim picture of the nation's airports. The worst hit? John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia. All serve the bustling New York area. But the misery doesn't stop there. Philadelphia, Detroit, and even Toronto in Canada have been caught in the storm's icy grip.

Weather Warnings Galore

The National Weather Service isn't sugarcoating it. They've issued a winter storm warning, effective from 4 PM Friday to 1 PM Saturday. They're predicting up to 9 inches of snow for New York and southern Connecticut. It's no small dusting.

Airlines Take a Hit

JetBlue Airways has already axed 227 flights, while Delta Air Lines is pulling 213 from the schedule. Republic and Southwest aren't far behind, with 157 and 146 flights grounded, respectively. Even American and United are feeling the pinch, with about 100 flights each not taking off today. Airports are urging passengers to double-check with their airlines before making any moves.

A Snowy Dilemma

The nastiest snowfall is expected to slam down between 6 PM and midnight. Drivers face hazardous conditions, and authorities are pleading for caution. New York Governor Kathy Hochul isn't mincing words, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel. She said, "If you have to go out, plan ahead, take it slow, and leave plenty of time to get to where you need to go safely." Similar cautionary tales are being spun by the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut.

City Prepares for Impact

New York City is no stranger to snow, but this will mark the second big snowfall of the season after several inches settled just days ago on December 14. Mayor Eric Adams is advising those who drove to work on Friday to either leave early or hop onto public transport for their journey home. Snow ploughs are on standby, ready to clear the streets once the snow piles up to two inches.