Winter Storm Threatens Presidents Day Weekend Travel Surge

The National Weather Service and AccuWeather issued a joint warning this morning as a powerful winter storm tracks from the Midwest toward the Northeast, threatening to derail one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

With Presidents Day weekend officially kicking off today, an estimated 3.5 million passengers are expected to transit through U.S. airports. Meteorologists warn that the storm’s timing is "catastrophic" for travel, as heavy snow and ice are projected to arrive at major hubs like JFK, Newark, and Logan International precisely during the Friday evening departure surge.

The storm compounds an already fragile domestic aviation landscape. Major carriers, including American Airlines and the struggling Spirit Airlines, are reporting "zero slack" in their systems due to ongoing staffing shortages and a high volume of pre-booked holiday travelers.

Experts warn that even a moderate snowfall could trigger a "cascade of cancellations" across the Eastern Seaboard. For the 2026 traveler, today is being labeled the "Danger Zone" for departures, with travel advisors urging anyone with a morning flight to "go now" before the weather closes in.