Snowstorms in America: Thousands of flights canceled and a state of emergency declared
The United States is experiencing a severe wave of bad weather, with winter storm large swaths of the country, bringing air and ground transportation to a near standstill in several states. These weather events coincide with the holiday season, compounding the difficulties faced by both travelers and local authorities.
Air traffic paralyzed and thousands of flights cancelled
Media reports, including from Al Arabiya, indicate that the snowstorms hitting the United States have disrupted travel plans for millions of Americans. US airports have experienced record-breaking disruptions, with nearly 16,000 domestic and international flights canceled or delayed. This figure is a stark indicator of the storm's severity, leaving airlines with no option but to suspend operations to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft.
In a related context, more than a thousand additional flights were cancelled during the Christmas holiday, amid strong warnings from weather agencies about continued heavy snowfall in parts of the Midwest and Northeast of the United States, which portends further complications in the coming days.
New York and California are at the heart of the storm
New York State is bracing for what experts are calling the worst snowstorm in three years, prompting emergency declarations at several major airports and the deployment of equipment to clear runways and main roads. The situation isn't limited to the East Coast; California has also declared a state of emergency , particularly in Los Angeles and much of the South, but for different reasons: heavy rainfall has raised serious concerns about dangerous flooding and mudslides.
Climate context and the effects of winter storms
These storms are part of the extreme weather patterns that North America typically experiences at this time of year, as cold polar air masses from Canada collide with warm, moist air currents, creating deep, rapidly developing low-pressure systems. Historically, such storms have caused billions of dollars in economic losses due to business disruptions, damage to power grid infrastructure, and the costs of rescue and snow removal operations.
Expected effects and precautionary measures
The storm is expected to cause widespread power outages due to ice buildup on power lines and trees, as well as hazardous driving conditions on highways covered with an invisible layer of "black ice." US authorities are urging residents in affected states to stay indoors and only go out when absolutely necessary, ensuring they have emergency supplies and heating, as the cold snap is expected to continue for several more days.
