How snow, ice, and flooding converged to disrupt millions of travelers at the end of 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, Winter Storm Devin has emerged as one of the most disruptive U.S. weather events in recent memory. Striking at the peak of the Christmas–New Year travel window, the storm has crippled air travel, snarled highways, triggered states of emergency, and revealed a striking contrast in how the same weather system impacted opposite sides of the country.
What began as a fast-moving winter system intensified into a full-scale “Christmas Storm,” producing heavy snow in the Northeast and Midwest while simultaneously unleashing destructive flooding across Southern California. The result has been a nationwide transportation crisis affecting tens of millions of Americans.
The Scope of the Storm: Snow, Ice, and Extreme Cold
Winter Storm Devin left a wide and uneven footprint across the United States, with snowfall totals and ice accumulation varying dramatically by region.
Snowfall & Ice Totals by Region
- New York City: Central Park recorded 4.3 inches of snow, marking the city’s first snowfall exceeding four inches in nearly four years. Surrounding areas in the Hudson Valley and the Tri-State region saw totals climb as high as 11 inches.
- Upstate New York: The storm’s most extreme snowfall occurred near Perrysburg, NY, where 23.7 inches were reported at the system’s peak.
- Philadelphia & the Mid-Atlantic: Rather than clean snowfall, much of this region endured a dangerous mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, resulting in 1–3 inches of icy accumulation and widespread hazardous road conditions.
- Great Lakes & Midwest: Columbus, Ohio set a daily snowfall record with 5.4 inches, followed immediately by an Arctic air mass that plunged temperatures to -22°F at John Glenn International Airport.
As the storm pushes eastward into the Atlantic, forecasters warn that its most persistent threat black ice will linger well into the start of the New Year.
Travel Chaos at the Worst Possible Time
The timing of Winter Storm Devin has magnified its impact. Roughly 52 million Americans were expected to travel between Christmas and New Year’s, placing immense strain on transportation systems already vulnerable to winter disruptions.
Air Travel by the Numbers
- Flight Cancellations: More than 2,100 flights have been canceled nationwide since Friday.
- Flight Delays: Over 22,000 delays were recorded as of Monday morning.
- Epicenter of Disruption: New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports alone accounted for over 50% of all U.S. cancellations at the height of the storm.
Airlines with major Northeast hubs were hit hardest, triggering cascading delays across the national network.
Road & Ground Transportation Impacts
- Pennsylvania: Speed limits on major interstates were reduced to 45 mph due to ice and reduced visibility.
- Iowa & Minnesota: State patrol agencies responded to 500+ combined crashes and slide-offs, underscoring the storm’s threat beyond airports.
States of Emergency and Emergency Response
As conditions deteriorated, state and local governments activated emergency protocols.
Official Actions Taken
- States of Emergency:
- New York: Declared by Governor Kathy Hochul
- New Jersey: Declared by Acting Governor Tahesha Way
- Power Outages: At the storm’s peak, 64,000+ households across the Northeast and Ohio Valley lost electricity due to snapped power lines from ice and heavy snow.
- National Guard Standby: Several states placed National Guard units on alert to assist stranded motorists, support emergency medical transport, and help clear critical roadways.
Airlines Most Impacted by Winter Storm Devin
As of Monday morning, December 29, nearly every major U.S. airline has been forced to adjust operations. However, carriers with dense Northeast networks have faced significantly greater disruption.
Airlines with the Highest Cancellations
JetBlue
- Primary hubs: JFK, LaGuardia, Boston
- Impact: Over 350+ cancellations over the weekend, the highest of any airline. Concentrated Northeast operations slowed recovery efforts.
Delta Air Lines
- Primary hubs: JFK, LaGuardia, Detroit
- Impact: Averaged 200+ cancellations per day during the storm’s peak, creating a massive passenger backlog.
- Republic Airways (Regional Carrier)
- Impact: Regional “puddle jumper” flights were among the first grounded due to visibility restrictions, affecting American, Delta, and United passengers.
- American Airlines
- Primary hubs affected: Philadelphia, JFK
- Impact: Logged 150+ cancellations, though recovery has been faster at Philadelphia and Charlotte hubs.
- United Airlines
- Primary hub: Newark Liberty International Airport
- Impact: Nearly 100 cancellations per day, including several international diversions.
Airport Hubs at a Standstill
Travelers connecting through the following airports faced the highest risk of cancellation or extended delays:
- JFK & LaGuardia (NY): More than half of nationwide cancellations during peak storm conditions.
- Newark Liberty (NJ): Heavy snow and low visibility made wide-body aircraft landings extremely difficult.
- Detroit Metropolitan (MI): De-icing backlogs delayed departures by several hours.
The Other Side of the Storm: California Flooding
While the East dug out from snow, the same weather system produced a dramatic and deadly contrast on the West Coast.
Southern California Atmospheric River
- Los Angeles: Experienced its wettest Christmas period in 50 years.
- Fatalities: At least three deaths confirmed due to flooding and falling debris, including a fatal incident in San Diego involving a falling tree branch.
- Mudslides: Mountain communities such as Wrightwood were inundated, with homes buried under up to five feet of mud.
The dual impact snow paralysis in the East and flooding devastation in the West—underscored the growing volatility of U.S. weather patterns.
What Travelers Can Do Right Now
For travelers still navigating the aftermath of Winter Storm Devin, airlines and officials are urging caution and flexibility.
Immediate Travel Advice
- Fee Waivers: JetBlue, Delta, American, and United have waived change fees, allowing free rebooking via mobile apps.
- The “2-Hour Rule”: Do not head to the airport unless your flight status has updated within the last 30 minutes.
- Check Regional Partners: Many canceled flights are operated by regional carriers like Republic or SkyWest, which remain the most grounded.
Outlook: What Comes Next
The National Weather Service warns that while snowfall is ending in New England, black ice remains the dominant hazard for Monday and Tuesday commutes. Temperatures are expected to stay well below seasonal averages through New Year’s Day.
Winter Storm Devin will likely be remembered not only for its meteorological extremes, but for how sharply it exposed the fragility of U.S. travel infrastructure during peak demand periods.
As recovery continues, millions of travelers remain in limbo, waiting for clearer skies, safer roads, and a return to normal operations.
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