Arctic Blast Could Cancel 5,000 Flights Days Before Christmas

A winter storm could hinder two-thirds of the nation's flight on Thursday and Friday as millions of people travel for the holidays.

For weeks, meteorologists have forecast an arctic blast making its way into the U.S., and now almost the entire nation is facing crippling cold temperatures equipped with winter storms that could bring blizzards, rain and ice to many states just days before Christmas. Christmas is one of the busiest travel times of the year, with people traveling by car and plane, and both modes of transportation will likely be impacted by the storm.

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter told Newsweek that AccuWeather's data analytics team expects as many as two-thirds of the nation's flights to be impacted by a major storm right before Christmas weekend. Blizzard conditions will threaten a 1,500-mile stretch from central Kansas to northwestern Quebec in Canada, and Porter said the storm is coming "at the worst possible time."

Millions of people travel for the Christmas holiday, whether to visit family or to spend time at a vacation destination, increasing passenger volume drastically. Even worse, the massive storm could smother some of the nation's largest airport hubs with blizzard conditions. Two of the most at-risk hubs are Chicago and Detroit.

A blizzard isn't the only threat, and heavy rain and gusty winds will target airports such as Dulles, Reagan National, Baltimore/Washington, Philadelphia, New York City-area airports and Boston.

With the international and regional airports affected, as many as 5,000 flights might be delayed or canceled.

"This storm may cause a significant [slowdown] or in some areas, nearly a complete halting of flight operations, perhaps the worst such situation in many years," Porter said. "Travelers can be stuck at airports, and it may take the entire air system days to recover."

Porter encouraged travelers to move their trip a day or two early if they have the flexibility to do so.

Unfortunately, those deciding to drive instead won't face better conditions. Porter said highway travel will be impacted in a "significant manner" across much of the central and eastern parts of the country, with some roads likely closing.

With the arctic blast already moving into the U.S. with a rush of frigid air, there also is an increased risk for flash freezes, solidifying any standing water from the storms into ice and creating slippery conditions.