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Winter Storm Devin has paralyzed travel across the United States during the peak of the post-Christmas holiday rush. As the storm intensified into a "bomb cyclone" on Friday, December 26, 2025, it grounded over 1,800 flights and delayed more than 22,000 others. The National Weather Service warned that the system would create treacherous conditions from the Great Lakes into the Northeast, with some areas facing snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour.

The crisis has been most acute at major aviation hubs in the New York metropolitan area. John F. Kennedy, Newark Liberty, and LaGuardia airports collectively accounted for more than half of all nationwide cancellations. Airline carriers with significant Northeast operations felt the brunt of the storm; JetBlue was forced to scrap approximately 350 flights over two days, while Delta, American, and United also reported hundreds of groundings. To assist stranded passengers, these major airlines have proactively waived change fees for those needing to reschedule.

On the ground, the response from state governments has been swift. New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Acting Governor Tahesha Way both declared states of emergency to mobilize resources and clear roads. These declarations allowed for the rapid deployment of salt trucks and plows to combat the heavy snow and ice, which left many commuters and holiday travelers searching for alternative routes.

Further complicating the journey for many, Pennsylvania and New Jersey implemented strict commercial vehicle bans on several key interstates. These restrictions targeted tractor-trailers, empty CDL trucks, and recreational vehicles to prevent accidents and keep lanes open for emergency crews. Although many of these road bans began to lift by Saturday morning, authorities continued to urge the public to avoid non-essential travel while cleanup efforts remained in progress.

As the storm system moves toward southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic, the ripple effects on the nation’s transportation infrastructure are expected to persist throughout the weekend. Travelers are being advised to check their flight and train statuses frequently, as the backlog of passengers and displaced aircraft continues to cause significant logistical challenges.