A powerful winter storm sweeping across the United States has led to thousands of flight cancellations, widespread power outages, and cascading delays at airports nationwide, including Los Angeles International Airport.
KTLA’s Gene Kang reported live from LAX on Sunday morning, where sunny skies and calm conditions contrasted sharply with the nationwide aviation disruption caused by Winter Storm Fern.
Flight-tracking data cited by the Associated Press shows the storm has resulted in the highest number of flight cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 15,000 flights were canceled across the country beginning Saturday, with over 10,000 flights grounded on Sunday alone.
Although weather conditions at LAX remained clear early Sunday, travelers arriving from heavily impacted regions were already experiencing the storm’s effects.
Cecilia and her husband, returning from a cruise in Sydney, Australia, said they were stuck in Los Angeles for at least two days after their flight to New York was canceled.
“The best part is that we have our luggage,” Cecilia told KTLA, noting that during a previous delay, they were forced to stay overnight without their bags. “Hopefully, we can go sleep in a hotel tonight.”
Despite the disruption, she said they were trying to remain upbeat and make the most of their unexpected time in Southern California.
Airport data showed more than 160 delays and nearly 90 cancellations at LAX on Saturday. Other Southern California airports — including Hollywood Burbank, John Wayne, Ontario, and Long Beach — also reported disruptions as planes and flight crews were stranded in affected regions.
The storm has brought heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the central United States into the Northeast. In parts of New England, snowfall totals could reach 1 to 2 feet, according to Boston.com. Forecasters also predicted accumulating snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and into Massachusetts.
Nationwide, more than 700,000 customers were without power due to snow, ice, and strong winds, figures cited by the Associated Press show.
Major hub airports experienced some of the most severe impacts, including Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where nearly all departing flights were canceled Sunday. Widespread cancellations were also reported at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and airports throughout the New York area.
New York City Emergency Management warned of what it described as a “dangerous triple threat” of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with extremely poor visibility and dangerous travel conditions expected to continue into the week.
Officials emphasized that even airports outside the storm’s core can suffer significant disruptions as delays and cancellations ripple through airline systems.
“That chaos feeds straight into hubs like LAX, delaying arrivals, stranding crews, and throwing schedules off nationwide,” Kang said.
Travelers with upcoming flights are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and to plan for extra time, as additional delays and cancellations may occur over the next 24 hours.