As another brutal blast of Arctic air bears down on the United States, Vermont has now joined Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire in the crosshairs of a sprawling winter weather pattern that is rapidly turning into a full scale travel nightmare. Fresh off the historic disruptions of Winter Storm Fern in late January and the bomb cyclone that followed, a new surge of life threatening cold, snow and ice is set to freeze the weekend and once again snarl air, road and rail travel across large swaths of the Northeast and Midwest. For travelers, the message heading into this critical February weekend is clear: expect severe disruption, build in extra time, and prepare for plans to change with little notice.
What Is Behind This New Winter Travel Crisis
The latest travel turmoil is tied to a fresh Arctic outbreak spilling south from Canada, colliding with lingering moisture over the eastern half of the country. After a historic corridor spanning from northern Mexico to New England was hammered by Winter Storm Fern between January 23 and January 27, followed closely by a powerful bomb cyclone off the East Coast from January 30 to February 2, the atmosphere has remained highly energized. Now forecasters see a renewed push of polar air combining with multiple fast moving disturbances, setting the stage for dangerous snow squalls, freezing rain and cripplingly low wind chills.
According to forecasts highlighted this week by the National Weather Service Prediction Center and covered by multiple outlets, winter storm warnings and advisories are blanketing at least 15 states for the period from Friday, February 6 through Monday, February 9. While the Mid Atlantic will once again see disruptive snow and wind, it is the interior Northeast and Great Lakes that look poised to bear the brunt of this particular blast. That includes Vermont as well as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire, all of which are staring down a combination of bitter cold and treacherous wintry precipitation.
The timing of this cold snap, coming directly on the heels of back to back major systems that already shattered records and crippled transport networks, means the threshold for further disruption is low. Runways and taxiways are still vulnerable to refreezing, airline crews and aircraft remain out of position from earlier cancellations, and road crews are stretched thin after weeks of near continuous operations. Even a moderate storm in such a context can have outsized consequences for travelers.
States in the Firing Line: Vermont to Indiana
Vermont’s late entrance into the winter travel crisis is particularly worrying for forecasters because the Green Mountain State is expected to sit under the core of the coldest air. Wind chills in northern Vermont could plunge to around minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit at times this weekend, with readings of minus 30 possible across much of the northern interior of New England. These values are firmly in the range where frostbite can develop on exposed skin in as little as ten to fifteen minutes, and where mechanical systems, from car batteries to aircraft hydraulics, are prone to failure.
New Hampshire faces a similar risk profile, especially across its northern counties and higher terrain. Strong gusty winds are forecast to whip up powdery snow into whiteout squalls along key travel corridors, including routes that connect the state with Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts. The combination of sudden near zero visibility, flash freezing of road surfaces and sub zero wind chills is what has prompted officials to warn against nonessential travel during the worst conditions.
Farther west, the Great Lakes belt is once again under siege. In Michigan, cold northwest flow over the still relatively unfrozen waters is expected to ignite intense lake effect snow bands capable of dropping localized accumulations of more than half a foot in just a few hours. Those bands tend to set up across the same stretches of highway for extended periods, quickly turning clear pavement into a hazardous mix of packed snow, ice and drifting. South and east into Ohio and Indiana, the picture is one of lighter but widespread snow combined with bursts of stronger wind, reducing visibility and steadily covering interstates with a slick layer of compacted snow.
Pennsylvania sits at the crossroads of several of these atmospheric ingredients. Western parts of the state will feel the influence of lake effect off Lake Erie, while central and eastern regions could see a mix of system snow and squall lines pushing eastward from the Ohio Valley. For drivers on major arteries such as Interstate 80 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the risk will come less from blockbuster snowfall totals and more from rapidly changing micro conditions where a brief but intense squall can turn a previously manageable journey into a dangerous ordeal.
Air Travel Turmoil: Cancellations Ripple Nationwide
The aviation system in the United States is heading into this weekend already in a fragile state. During the peak of Winter Storm Fern in late January, the country registered one of its worst days for flight cancellations since the height of the pandemic, with more than 11,000 flights canceled in a single day and thousands more delayed. Major hubs in the Northeast and Mid Atlantic, including New York City and Philadelphia, saw the overwhelming majority of their operations wiped from the schedule as heavy snow and high winds made flying unsafe or impossible.
Many of the aircraft and crews that were displaced by those cancellations are still in the process of being repositioned, and the bomb cyclone that followed only deepened the logistical tangle. Now, with fresh winter storm warnings and brutal cold aiming squarely at states that host key regional and medium sized airports, analysts say a new wave of cancellations is all but inevitable. Cities in or near the current warning zone include Burlington, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Manchester and Pittsburgh, among others. If runway closure thresholds are met or deicing capacity is strained, airports in these locations could see extended ground stops.
What happens in these often overlooked secondary hubs can have cascading effects for the rest of the country. Flights that feed major coastal gateways such as New York, Boston and Washington rely heavily on regional jets operating out of cities in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana. When those aircraft cannot depart due to snow, ice or extreme wind chill, the knock on effect is felt in missed connections and equipment shortages across the system. Travelers departing from warmer destinations may find their flights suddenly canceled not because of local weather, but because the incoming aircraft is stuck behind a line of snowplows in the Midwest.
Airlines have responded to this latest forecast by issuing flexible rebooking policies for passengers traveling to, from or through the hardest hit states over the coming days. While the details vary by carrier, the general advice from both airlines and federal aviation officials is to act early. Customers are being urged to monitor their flight status frequently, sign up for mobile alerts, and consider moving trips forward or backward to avoid the core of the bad weather. Those who wait until the day of departure to adjust plans may find that alternative options are limited or non existent.
On the Ground: Highways, Trains and Buses Under Strain
For those traveling by road, this weekend will require heightened vigilance and a willingness to change plans on short notice. State transportation departments across Vermont, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire are staging plows, salt trucks and emergency response units along major interstates and rural connectors. Many of these agencies have already logged extraordinarily high operating hours this winter, and some have reported supply pressures on key materials such as road salt and liquid deicer after the January storms.
The greatest hazards on the highways will likely stem from three overlapping threats: flash freezing, snow squalls and black ice. As frigid Arctic air pours into regions that saw daytime thawing, wet pavement can freeze solid in minutes, catching drivers off guard. Short lived but intense snow squalls may then sweep across the same stretches of road, creating dramatic drops in visibility and leaving behind an uneven coating of snow that masks underlying ice. Bridges, overpasses and shaded curves are especially vulnerable to this rapid refreezing.
Public transportation systems are bracing as well. Passenger rail routes in the Northeast and Midwest have already experienced substantial disruptions in recent weeks, including complete suspensions of certain long distance and regional services during the height of Winter Storm Fern. With more snow and extreme cold in the forecast, operators are warning of the possibility of fresh delays, equipment issues and schedule reductions. Ice accumulation on overhead power lines, frozen track switches and drifting snow in rural cuts are among the technical challenges that can slow or halt train movement.
Intercity bus providers, a vital link for many budget conscious and rural travelers, will also be watching conditions closely. Companies typically retain discretion to cancel or reroute services when road conditions degrade, and this weekend could see last minute changes on cross state routes that pass through the hardest hit areas. As with air travel, passengers are being advised to build more time into itineraries, pack essentials such as warm clothing, water and snacks, and check service status repeatedly as departure time approaches.
How This Fits Into a Brutal Winter for US Travel
By early February, the 2025–26 winter season had already carved out a place in the record books. Winter Storm Fern’s enormous footprint, spanning from northern Mexico to Atlantic Canada, placed more than 230 million people under some form of winter weather advisory or warning. For several days in late January, more than half of the contiguous United States was covered in snow, and over a million customers were without power at the peak of the storm. In the travel sector, the tens of thousands of flight cancellations associated with Fern alone made it the most disruptive single winter event for aviation since the early pandemic years.
The bomb cyclone that formed off the East Coast at the end of January only compounded the misery. It brought heavy snow and strong coastal winds to parts of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic and extended the period of hazardous travel conditions well into early February. For airline and rail operators, this created a kind of rolling disruption in which crews, rolling stock and aircraft never had a chance to fully reset. Now, as Vermont and its neighboring states face yet another punishing weekend, the cumulative strain is becoming evident in persistent schedule fragility and infrastructure fatigue.
For travelers, this has translated into a season where even short domestic trips can feel precarious. It is not just the headline blizzards that wreak havoc, but also the lingering lake effect, refreezing and clipper systems that follow in their wake. In such an environment, a basic rule of thumb has emerged: if your journey involves crossing state lines in the northern half of the country, especially through the Great Lakes or New England corridors, you should assume a meaningful possibility of disruption and plan accordingly.
While winter travel challenges are by no means new, the alignment this year of multiple large scale storms, persistent Arctic outbreaks and a heavily trafficked late January and early February travel calendar has produced a particularly difficult stretch. Ski travelers seeking fresh powder in Vermont or New Hampshire, families visiting colleges across the Midwest, and business travelers shuttling between industrial hubs in Ohio, Indiana and Pennsylvania are all feeling the ripple effects of a season defined by extremes.
Practical Advice for Travelers Facing the Weekend Freeze
With conditions in Vermont, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire expected to deteriorate rapidly at times this weekend, clear headed preparation can make the difference between an uncomfortable delay and a dangerous situation. For air travelers, the most effective step is often proactive flexibility. If your itinerary is scheduled squarely during the worst forecast window, consider calling your airline to explore moving to an earlier or later departure while seats remain. When possible, choose nonstop flights to reduce the risk of missing connections in vulnerable hubs.
Packing for air travel in a deep freeze also requires some strategic thinking. Essential medications, warm layers, hats and gloves should remain in your carry on, not your checked baggage, in case you are unexpectedly stranded overnight in a chilly terminal or on an idling aircraft. Portable battery packs, snacks and a reusable water bottle can make long delays more bearable. Travelers with young children or older relatives should pay special attention to their comfort, as both groups are more susceptible to the health impacts of prolonged cold exposure.
For those driving, the priority is to avoid being on the road during the worst squalls and coldest nighttime periods. Before setting off, top up fuel, windshield washer fluid and antifreeze, and ensure that tires are properly inflated and appropriate for winter conditions. An emergency kit with blankets, extra clothing, a shovel, sand or kitty litter for traction, a flashlight and nonperishable food can provide a critical safety buffer if you slide off the road or become trapped in a closure queue.
Rail and bus travelers should take a similarly cautious approach. Building in backup plans, such as identifying alternative departure times or nearby lodging options, can ease anxiety if a service is canceled at the last minute. When possible, purchase tickets that allow for changes without heavy penalties, and keep paper or offline copies of reservations in case mobile networks or station systems are under strain. Above all, check trusted weather forecasts and official transport advisories frequently in the 24 hours leading up to your departure.
The Takeaway
As Vermont joins Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire in bracing for a weekend defined by brutal cold, snow and ice, the United States finds itself in the midst of one of its most challenging winter travel seasons in recent memory. The same atmospheric dynamics that produced January’s sprawling Winter Storm Fern and the subsequent bomb cyclone are once again conspiring to disrupt road, rail and air networks just as many travelers had hoped for a return to normal operations.
The coming days will likely bring more images of snowbound runways, stranded motorists and cascading flight cancellation boards. Yet for individual travelers, informed and flexible planning can still tilt the odds in favor of a safe, if not perfectly smooth, journey. Monitoring forecasts closely, engaging early with airlines and transport providers, and preparing for the possibility of delays are no longer optional extras in states across the northern tier; they are essential components of winter travel.
Ultimately, this latest cold snap underscores an enduring reality of travel in the American winter: when Arctic air collides with moisture over a densely populated and heavily interconnected region, even the best laid plans can unravel. For now, the wisest course for anyone heading into or out of Vermont, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana or New Hampshire is to keep their itinerary flexible, their expectations realistic and their winter gear close at hand.
FAQ
Q1. Which states are expected to be hit hardest by this weekend’s brutal cold and winter storms?
Vermont, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and New Hampshire are among the states most at risk this weekend, with dangerously low wind chills, snow and ice likely to create hazardous travel conditions and potential flight disruptions.
Q2. How cold could it get in Vermont and neighboring New England states?
Forecasters indicate that wind chills could fall to around minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of northern Vermont, with values near minus 30 possible across sections of northern and central New York, western Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.
Q3. Should I expect more flight cancellations even if my local weather looks fine?
Yes, cancellations can occur far from the worst weather because aircraft and crews are often based in or routed through affected states. If planes cannot depart from hubs in places like Ohio, Michigan or Pennsylvania, flights in other regions may be delayed or canceled due to lack of available equipment.
Q4. What are airlines doing to help passengers during this new round of storms?
Many airlines have implemented flexible travel waivers for customers flying to, from or through the hardest hit areas. These waivers typically allow passengers to change dates or routes without standard fees, but travelers should check individual carrier policies and act early while rebooking options are still available.
Q5. Is driving safer than flying during this type of winter event?
Not necessarily. While flying concentrates risk into a single segment, driving in conditions featuring snow squalls, black ice and extreme wind chills can be extremely dangerous. The safest option is often to delay or reroute any nonessential trip rather than simply switching from air to road transport.
Q6. What is the biggest on road hazard expected this weekend?
The most serious threats will likely come from rapid refreezing of wet pavement, sudden whiteout snow squalls and invisible black ice, especially on bridges, overpasses and shaded stretches of highway. These conditions can develop quickly and may catch even experienced drivers off guard.
Q7. How has Winter Storm Fern earlier this season affected current travel resilience?
Winter Storm Fern caused massive flight cancellations, extensive power outages and record breaking snow coverage in late January, leaving airlines, rail operators and road crews with depleted resources and ongoing backlogs. That lingering strain means the system is more vulnerable to additional disruption from this weekend’s cold snap.
Q8. What should I pack if I must fly through one of the affected states?
Carry essential medications, a full set of warm clothing layers, hat, gloves, portable phone charger, snacks and a refillable water bottle in your cabin bag. This ensures you can stay warm and reasonably comfortable if you face long delays, missed connections or an unexpected overnight stay.
Q9. Are trains and buses a reliable alternative in this weather?
Trains and buses can sometimes operate when flights are grounded, but they are also vulnerable to snow covered tracks, frozen switches, icy highways and visibility issues. Travelers should monitor service alerts closely and be prepared for schedule changes, slow journeys or cancellations on short notice.
Q10. What is the single most important step travelers can take right now?
The most important step is to stay informed and flexible. Check updated weather forecasts and transport advisories frequently, sign up for alerts from your airline or carrier and be ready to adjust departure times, routes or even trip dates to avoid the worst of the conditions.