Boston Joins New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago and Detroit as Winter Storm Hernando Triggers Widespread Flight Delays While Nantucket Memorial, Atlantic City, Martha’s Vineyard, Worcester, Providence, San Diego and St. Croix Face Expanding Airport Disruption

Boston and New York Passengers traveling through major U.S. aviation hubs faced mounting uncertainty Monday as a powerful winter storm system spread snow and gale-force winds across large swathes of the Northeast and Midwest United States, triggering delays and cancellations at some of the country’s busiest airports. From Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts to New York’s trio of major airports, travelers were met with schedule disruptions as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tracked deteriorating conditions throughout the day.

A Storm With Reach: How Weather Rippled Through U.S. Skies

The root of the operational chaos was Winter Storm Hernando, which brought heavy snow and strong winds to key parts of the nation’s transportation network. Snowfall and gusty winds dramatically reduced visibility, lowered runway capacity, and forced traffic flow restrictions at major hubs. The FAA’s Daily Air Traffic Report noted significant disruptions in the Northeast corridor—a dense cluster of airports that together serve as a backbone of domestic and international air travel.

Where Weather Hit Hardest Northeast United States

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) saw widespread slowdowns as crews worked to clear snow and coordinate safe flight operations. Persistent winds and snow showers left many flights either late or canceled.

In the New York region, Newark Liberty (EWR), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA) all experienced a similar struggle against conditions that significantly reduced the normal flow of arrivals and departures. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), another critical hub, was also buffeted by the storm’s effects.

Mid-Atlantic and Washington, D.C.

Though not as severely impacted as Boston or New York, the Washington, D.C. area—including Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) and the two major capital region airports Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International (IAD)—faced the prospect of significant wind-driven delays as storm remnants pushed southward.

Midwest Forecast: Snow and Unsettled Skies

In the Midwest, Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) airports, along with Detroit Metropolitan (DTW), were forecast to see increasing snow and wind—a combination that typically leads to increased de-icing operations, slower runway cycles, and an overall reduction in flight movements.

Airport	Event Type	Time (GMT+5:30)	Details	Arrival Runway	Departure Runway	Arrival Rate
ACK	Airport Closure	24/8:35 AM – 25/9:30 AM	Nantucket Memorial is closed except LIFE FLT HEL OPS	—	—	—
ACY	Airport Closure	24/10:23 AM – 24/11:30 AM	Atlantic City International is closed	—	—	—
BGR	Deicing	Started 23/11:17 PM	Aircraft departing from Bangor International are being sprayed with deicing fluid to remove snow and ice	—	—	—
CDW	Airport Closure	24/6:28 AM – 25/3:30 AM	Essex County Airport is closed except HEL	—	—	—
EWB	Airport Closure	24/2:26 AM – 25/3:30 AM	Closed except HEL	—	—	—
GON	Airport Closure	24/4:59 AM – 24/10:30 PM	—	—	—	—
HYA	Airport Closure	23/10:31 AM – 25/4:30 PM	Barnstable Muni-Boardman/Polando Field is closed	—	—	—
LAS	Airport Closure	28/12:42 AM – 30/4:30 AM	Harry Reid International is closed TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC 24HR PPR 702-261-7775	01L/26L	01R/01L	64
MVY	Airport Closure	24/10:43 AM – 25/3:30 AM	Marthas Vineyard is closed	—	—	—
ORH	Airport Closure	23/7:50 PM – 24/7:30 PM	Worcester Regional is closed	—	—	—
PVD	Airport Closure	24/2:22 AM – 24/10:30 PM	Theodore Francis Green State is closed	—	—	—
SAN	Airport Closure	12/1:30 PM – 19/1:30 PM	San Diego-Lindbergh Field is closed TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC PPR 619-298-7704	27	27	24
STX	Airport Closure	02/9:46 PM – 01/2:30 AM	Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport is closed TO NON SKED TRANSIENT GA ACFT EXC PPR 340-201-4645	10	10	18

Multiple US Airports Face Closures and Operational Disruptions as Weather and Restrictions Impact Flight Activity

A wave of airport closures and operational restrictions has unfolded across several U.S. destinations, affecting regional air traffic and specialized flight operations. From the Northeast to the West Coast and into the Caribbean, multiple airports reported shutdowns, limited access, or deicing procedures, signaling broader disruption across parts of the national aviation network.

In Massachusetts, Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) is closed except for life flight helicopter operations, significantly limiting access to the island. Nearby, Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY) has also been shut down, while Barnstable Muni–Boardman/Polando Field (HYA) suspended operations during its closure window. Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) joined the list of affected facilities, further tightening aviation access across the state.

Rhode Island’s Theodore Francis Green State Airport (PVD) reported a closure, adding to the regional strain. In Connecticut, Groton–New London Airport (GON) listed an airport closure period, while in New Jersey, both Essex County Airport (CDW) and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) implemented shutdowns. ACY’s status was marked as updated, indicating evolving operational conditions. CDW and New Bedford Regional (EWB) remained closed except for helicopter operations, allowing only limited aircraft movement.

Further north, Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine initiated deicing operations, with aircraft being sprayed with deicing fluid to remove accumulated snow and ice before departure. While not fully closed, deicing procedures often indicate challenging winter conditions and can contribute to departure delays as aircraft require additional ground time for treatment.

On the West Coast, San Diego–Lindbergh Field (SAN) reported restrictions affecting non-scheduled transient general aviation aircraft, except with prior permission required (PPR). The airport listed operational runway configuration 27 for both arrivals and departures, with an arrival rate of 24 aircraft per hour under current conditions.

Similarly, Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas imposed restrictions on non-scheduled transient general aviation aircraft unless 24-hour prior permission was secured. Despite the closure notice, LAS continued operating with runway configuration 01L/26L for arrivals and 01R/01L for departures, maintaining an arrival rate of 64 aircraft per hour.

In the Caribbean, Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (STX) in St. Croix also reported closure to non-scheduled transient general aviation aircraft except with prior approval. Current configuration shows runway 10 in use for both arrivals and departures, with an arrival rate of 18 aircraft per hour.

The combined impact of these closures and restrictions spans regional airports, island destinations, and major operational hubs. While some facilities are fully closed, others remain partially operational with restrictions targeting specific aircraft categories, particularly non-scheduled general aviation flights.

Travelers and operators are advised to check directly with their airlines or airport authorities for the latest operational updates. As weather conditions and airport status evolve, further adjustments to runway configurations, arrival rates, or access restrictions may occur.

The widespread nature of these closures underscores how quickly operational changes at multiple airports can shape regional and national aviation flow, affecting not just passenger travel but also general aviation and specialized flight services.

Behind the Headlines: Aviation Weather Tools in Play

FAA’s Aviation Weather Tracking

To monitor real-time and forecast weather impacts, the FAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) jointly provide advanced meteorological resources. One such tool is the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) — an interactive weather forecast system that offers detailed guidance on wind, precipitation, icing, and turbulence across the national airspace. The GFA delivers layered visual forecast products, allowing pilots and dispatchers to visualize atmospheric conditions from surface levels up to higher altitudes — valuable when deciding whether a flight can safely depart, arrive, or en route diversions are necessary.

What This Means for Air Traffic Operations

Weather-driven delays and cancellations are more than a passenger inconvenience: they reflect the complex balancing act between safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System. FAA air traffic controllers must adjust arrival and departure rates dynamically as conditions evolve, ensuring aircraft maintain safe spacing and that crews have accurate real-time intelligence about changing weather patterns. Even when flights are allowed to operate, airport capacity often falls below normal levels during severe winter weather, leading to ground delay programs or traffic flow management measures that help stabilize the system but extend travel times.

Passenger Impacts and Practical Concerns

Delay Ripple Effects

Delays at major hubs like BOS, JFK, and EWR do not occur in isolation. Because many carriers use these airports as key nodes in their route networks, weather-related disruptions often radiate outward, affecting connections across the U.S. and even international flights.

Safety First

The FAA emphasizes that while delays are frustrating, they are necessary to maintain safety in challenging conditions. Snow, strong crosswinds, and reduced visibility directly affect pilot decision-making, ground crew timing, and the overall cadence of airport operations.

Travel Advice Amid Continued Winter Weather

Officials urge passengers to stay informed via airline notifications and government flight advisory tools. The FAA’s centralized aviation status hub — fly.faa.gov — provides updated arrival and departure conditions across airports, helping travelers assess potential impacts before heading to the terminal.

For pilots and operators, pre-flight weather briefings are essential. In addition to formal forecasts, aviation weather services such as those provided through the GFA and associated products can highlight short-term threats like icing, turbulence, or sudden wind shifts that could compromise aircraft performance.

Weather Research and Flight Safety

The FAA continues its research into better understanding and mitigating weather impacts on flight operations through programs that enhance modeling and predictive capabilities for aviation-specific conditions. These efforts aim to reduce weather-related delays while preserving the highest safety standards.

Stories Behind the Numbers

For many travelers, the storm’s effects were more than lines on a departure board. Families hoping to reach loved ones, business travelers with tight schedules, and holiday participants watched flights disappear from timetables as winter’s grip tightened. Behind each delayed gate announcement was a human journey interrupted — a reminder that while systems and technology guide airplanes, the lives they connect are what truly matter.

Final Thought: Weather, Technology, and the Future of Flight

As the winter storm slowly recedes and conditions relax, the aviation community — from air traffic controllers to weather scientists — will review performance data and forecast accuracy to refine future responses. In an industry where time, safety, and precision intersect, each weather event reaffirms the delicate choreography that keeps air travel flowing from coast to coast.

Through advanced weather forecasting tools, dedicated operational coordination, and transparent information sharing with the flying public, authorities aim not only to react to disruptions but to help travelers navigate them with greater clarity and confidence.

Image Source: Midway International Airport

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