US airports paralyzed: Snowstorm cancels 2,400 flights

The United States experienced a complete paralysis of air traffic, particularly in the southern states, following a powerful snowstorm that caused the cancellation of thousands of flights, leading to widespread confusion in travel schedules and overcrowding of passengers at major airports.

Details of flight cancellations at major airports

According to the latest data from aviation authorities, the snowstorm that struck the southern United States caused the cancellation of more than 2,400 flights . The largest share of these cancellations occurred at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, where airport management confirmed the cancellation of more than 1,800 flights. To address this emergency situation, field teams were mobilized, with a specialized team of 300 personnel working around the clock to clear the accumulated snow from the runways and access roads to the airport to ensure the resumption of operations as quickly as possible.

In a related context, the administration of Atlanta International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the world, announced the cancellation of more than 600 flights, in addition to the cancellation of about fifty other flights that were scheduled to the airport, reflecting the great impact of this polar wave on the artery of American air transport.

The strategic importance of the affected airports and their impact

This event is particularly significant given the strategic location of the affected airports. Atlanta and Charlotte Douglas International Airports are major hubs for domestic and international air traffic in the United States. Disruptions at these vital centers typically have a domino effect, with delays and cancellations spreading to other airports in states not directly affected by the weather, and even impacting international flights, resulting in substantial financial losses for airlines and disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers.

Weather warnings: Coastal low pressure system and polar air mass

For its part, the US National Weather Service issued strong warnings about the weather system, indicating the formation of a coastal low-pressure system that is expected to intensify over time. The agency predicted heavy snowfall and strong winds affecting North and South Carolina.

Experts also warned of a powerful surge of polar air accompanying this coastal storm, which will cause temperatures to plummet to record lows, reaching well below freezing, extending into areas of South Florida that rarely experience such conditions. Indicating the severity of the weather, West Virginia recorded freezing temperatures as low as -33 degrees Celsius, prompting residents and local authorities to take extreme precautions to avoid frostbite-related accidents and disruptions to essential services.