Winter Storm Ezra continues to upend holiday and end-of-year travel across the United States today, with a powerful mix of snow, ice and high winds still disrupting flights and making roads treacherous from the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes to the interior Northeast.

Airlines are reporting thousands of delays and cancellations as they struggle to recover from days of weather turmoil, while highway authorities warn that near-whiteout conditions, black ice and bitter wind chills are expected to persist into tonight in several states.

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Storm Still Churning Across Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes

Ezra, a sprawling winter storm that intensified over the Great Lakes earlier this week, is now racing toward southern Canada but continues to wrap bands of snow and freezing rain across a wide swath of the northern United States.

Forecasters say the system has exhibited characteristics of a so-called bomb cyclone, with rapidly falling atmospheric pressure driving strong, damaging winds and pockets of blizzard conditions from Wisconsin and Michigan to upstate New York and northern New England.

The Weather Channel reports that gusts above 60 miles per hour have been recorded in parts of the Midwest and Northeast, downing trees and power lines and reducing visibility to near zero at times.

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and along the south shore of Lake Superior, forecasters have measured more than a foot of snow, with localized totals approaching two feet in the most persistent lake-effect bands.

Similar lake-effect bursts are flaring downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, turning short stretches of interstate into high-risk corridors for sudden whiteouts.

Across interior New England and sections of upstate New York, a prolonged period of freezing rain and sleet has layered roads, sidewalks and power infrastructure in a slick glaze of ice.

The National Weather Service has highlighted a corridor from northern Pennsylvania through central New York into parts of Vermont and New Hampshire where ice accretions of a quarter to half an inch have contributed to scattered power outages and extremely hazardous driving conditions.

Behind the storm’s cold front, an Arctic air mass continues to plunge south and east.

Wind chills in parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest have dropped well below zero Fahrenheit, compounding the danger for anyone stranded in vehicles or outdoors for extended periods. Officials stress that even short trips can become life threatening if a car slides off the road or becomes stuck in deep snow.

Flight Cancellations Mount as Airports Struggle to Recover

Air travel remains one of the hardest-hit sectors, with Ezra now responsible for days of cascading disruptions just as airlines operate near peak capacity for the holiday period.

Data compiled since late last week show more than 6,000 flights canceled and tens of thousands delayed nationwide, with the brunt of the problems centered on hubs and regional airports in the Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes.

Major carriers including Delta, United, American and regional partners have been forced to repeatedly thin schedules into and out of storm-affected cities such as Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis, Cleveland, Boston and the New York area.

As the storm intensified, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary ground stops and de-icing holds at several large airports, further compressing available departure slots and creating long queues of aircraft waiting for treatment on snow-slicked ramps.

Travelers arriving at airports today are still confronting departure boards filled with red and yellow alerts. Rebooked passengers are discovering that many flights in the coming days are already close to full, limiting options and sometimes forcing multi-day stays.

Airline call centers, mobile apps and social media channels remain flooded with change requests as stranded travelers search for any remaining seats on alternate routes.

Industry analysts note that winter disruptions like Ezra can ripple through airline networks for several days, even after the weather improves, as aircraft and crews fall out of position.

With Ezra lingering over key corridors and fresh snow squalls still possible downwind of the Great Lakes, airlines caution that schedules may remain fragile into the New Year period, particularly on routes connecting smaller regional airports to major hubs.

Hazardous Highways and Local Travel Advisories

On the ground, state transportation departments and highway patrol agencies from Minnesota and Wisconsin through Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and New England are warning drivers to stay off the roads unless travel is absolutely essential.

Blowing and drifting snow, pockets of freezing rain, and sudden temperature drops have combined to create a complex and rapidly changing set of hazards.

In the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, blizzard and winter storm warnings earlier in the week led to school closures, delayed openings and the temporary shutdown of some stretches of interstate and state highways.

Troopers in several states report multiple pileups and dozens of slide-offs where drivers encountered near-whiteout conditions or hit invisible sheets of black ice at highway speeds.

In rural areas, heavy drifting has blocked secondary roads and made it difficult for emergency crews to reach stranded motorists quickly.

Farther east, from western and central New York into interior New England, the main concern has been ice. Freezing rain has turned ramps, overpasses and untreated back roads into skating rinks, triggering a surge in fender-benders and jackknifed trucks.

Local officials have urged residents to delay errands, avoid hilly or unplowed roads, and give snowplows and salt trucks wide berth as crews work extended shifts to keep critical corridors open.

Even in major cities where temperatures have periodically risen above freezing, Ezra’s passage has been felt in the form of ponding water, slushy intersections and rapidly refreezing surfaces after dark.

Municipal agencies from Philadelphia to Boston have asked pedestrians and cyclists to exercise extra caution, noting that melting snow and ice during the day can harden again into treacherous patches overnight.

Power Outages, Coastal Flooding and Other Secondary Impacts

Beyond travel delays, Ezra’s strong winds and mix of heavy, wet snow and ice have triggered scattered infrastructure problems across several states.

Utility companies in parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New England report that more than 100,000 customers have experienced outages at some point since the storm began, though aggressive restoration efforts have brought many back online.

In western and central New York, utilities say they are close to full restoration but warn that additional outages remain possible as wind gusts persist and ice-laden branches continue to break.

Along the Great Lakes and portions of the Northeast coast, Ezra’s low pressure and onshore winds have pushed water levels higher, leading to minor coastal flooding and lakeshore erosion in a few vulnerable communities.

Harbor authorities around Lake Erie and Lake Ontario have reported rough conditions and reduced visibility, and some ferry operations and small-vessel movements have been curtailed until winds subside and waves diminish.

Inland, emergency management agencies are monitoring for localized flooding where rapid snowmelt and rain have combined, especially in low-lying urban areas with poor drainage.

While widespread river flooding is not expected at this time, forecasters caution that any additional rounds of precipitation in the coming days could stress small streams already running high from earlier storms.

The storm has also disrupted freight and parcel deliveries. Trucking companies have imposed weather-related restrictions on some routes, while major express shippers have notified customers of potential service delays in regions impacted by flight cancellations and impassable roads.

Businesses depending on just-in-time deliveries and year-end shipments are being urged to build extra time into their logistics plans as the transportation network gradually recovers.

How Authorities and the Travel Industry Are Responding

Federal, state and local agencies have been coordinating for days to manage Ezra’s wide-ranging impacts. The National Weather Service continues to issue updated forecasts, storm warnings and advisories, while the Federal Aviation Administration is adjusting air traffic flow programs to balance safety with the need to clear backlogs at major hubs.

In several states, governors activated emergency operations centers to support local governments and to streamline requests for additional snow removal and utility repair resources.

In the airline sector, carriers have broadly implemented flexible travel policies for customers whose itineraries touch affected regions.

Many are waiving change fees and fare differences for rebookings within a designated window, encouraging travelers to shift plans to days with better weather and more available seats. Some airlines have also upgauged aircraft or added limited extra sections on popular routes to help absorb stranded passengers when conditions permit.

Airports themselves have remained in a near-constant state of snow and ice control. Crews are operating plows, sweepers and de-icing trucks around the clock to keep runways, taxiways and gate areas usable between snow bursts.

Airport authorities are urging departing passengers to arrive early, pass security screenings well before scheduled departure times and prepare for extended waits at gates as aircraft cycle through de-icing queues.

On the roads, transportation departments have deployed additional plow operators, extended shifts and in some cases called in contractor assistance to tackle heavy accumulations and drifting.

Law enforcement agencies are amplifying safety messages through local media and social platforms, emphasizing slower speeds, increased following distances and the importance of carrying winter survival kits for anyone who must travel.

Emergency shelters and warming centers have been opened in several communities for residents without power or for motorists who become stranded.

What Travelers Should Know If They Are on the Move Today

For those who must travel while Winter Storm Ezra is still active, officials and travel experts stress that planning and flexibility are crucial.

Flyers are urged to check their flight status frequently through airline apps or customer service channels, since conditions can change quickly as new bands of snow or ice move across airports.

Where flights are canceled, travelers should rebook through digital tools if possible, as phone wait times may be lengthy during peak disruption periods.

Some airlines advise travelers to consider routing through southern hubs that are less affected by the storm, even if it adds a connection, since direct flights into the heart of the affected regions may be limited for several days.

However, with the holiday rush continuing, available seats can be scarce, and travelers may need to be open to red-eye departures, nearby alternate airports or different travel dates to secure an itinerary.

Those planning to drive are encouraged to review state transportation department maps and highway advisories before setting out. If winter storm or blizzard warnings are in effect for the planned route, authorities say the safest choice is often to postpone travel.

If postponement is not possible, drivers should top off fuel tanks, pack blankets, extra clothing, non-perishable food, water and phone chargers, and share their route and expected arrival time with family or friends.

Urban travelers relying on trains and buses are not immune from disruption, as ground transportation providers may also suspend or delay services in the most affected corridors.

Passengers should monitor alerts from rail and intercity bus operators, build additional time into connections with flights and be prepared for short-notice schedule changes as conditions evolve.

Looking Ahead: Forecast Timeline and Recovery Prospects

Meteorologists expect Ezra’s core low-pressure center to lift farther into Canada later today and tonight, gradually reducing the most intense widespread snowfall over the Midwest and Great Lakes.

However, lingering lake-effect snow bands are forecast to persist into at least tomorrow in favored snow belts downwind of the lakes, where localized heavy bursts could continue to challenge road and airfield crews.

Across the interior Northeast and New England, the wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain is expected to slowly taper from west to east, with some areas transitioning to lighter snow or drizzle as slightly milder air noses in aloft.

Even as new precipitation diminishes, the combination of slush, standing water and plunging overnight temperatures means icy conditions will remain a hazard on untreated surfaces and secondary roads.

Most major airlines are signaling that they hope to run closer to normal schedules within the next 24 to 48 hours, assuming no new storm systems immediately follow Ezra across the same corridors.

Still, industry observers caution that it could take until later this week for the full network to rebalance, especially for travelers in smaller markets who rely on a limited number of daily flights to reach larger hubs.

For road travelers, recovery is likely to be uneven. Primary interstates and key freight corridors typically see faster clearing and salting, while rural routes, steep mountain passes and lake-effect hot spots may remain difficult or dangerous for longer.

With Arctic air firmly in place behind the storm, any residual moisture on the ground could refreeze repeatedly in the nights ahead, keeping winter driving skills and cautious decision-making at a premium.

FAQ

Q1: Which regions are seeing the worst travel impacts from Winter Storm Ezra today?
Areas across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes and interior Northeast are seeing the most significant impacts today, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and northern New England, where heavy snow, ice and high winds continue to disrupt both air and road travel.

Q2: How many flights have been affected by the storm so far?
Since late last week, Winter Storm Ezra has been linked to more than 6,000 flight cancellations and tens of thousands of delays nationwide, with the worst disruptions centered on major hubs and regional airports in the Northeast, Midwest and Great Lakes regions.

Q3: Are airlines offering waivers or flexible rebooking options?
Yes. Most major U.S. airlines have issued weather waivers for travelers whose itineraries pass through affected cities, typically allowing one-time changes without fees and, in some cases, fare differences, as long as rebooking occurs within a specified date range.

Q4: Is it safe to drive in the affected states today?
In many areas, authorities urge drivers to avoid non-essential travel because of whiteout conditions, drifting snow, black ice and freezing rain. If travel cannot be postponed, officials recommend slowing down, increasing following distance and carrying a winter survival kit, and they stress that conditions can deteriorate very quickly along exposed stretches of highway.

Q5: What is a bomb cyclone and how is it related to Ezra?
A bomb cyclone is a storm whose central pressure drops very rapidly in a short period of time, leading to strong winds and intense precipitation. Forecasters say Ezra has undergone this type of rapid intensification, which has helped generate the powerful wind gusts and blizzard-like conditions affecting parts of the Midwest, Great Lakes and Northeast.

Q6: When are conditions expected to improve for air travelers?
Weather-related delays and cancellations should gradually ease as Ezra moves farther into Canada and snowfall tapers, with airlines aiming to operate closer to normal schedules within the next one to two days. However, passengers should expect residual disruptions as aircraft and crews are repositioned and should monitor their flight status frequently.

Q7: How long will hazardous road conditions last after the snow stops?
Even after the snow and freezing rain end, dangerous road conditions can persist for days, especially overnight, as slush and standing water refreeze. This is particularly true on untreated back roads, bridges, overpasses and in lake-effect snow belts where additional bursts of snow may continue.

Q8: What should travelers pack if they must drive through affected regions?
Experts recommend packing warm clothing and blankets, non-perishable snacks, water, a flashlight, phone chargers, a snow brush and scraper, basic tools, sand or kitty litter for traction, and any necessary medications. Drivers should also begin trips with a full fuel tank and inform someone of their route and expected arrival time.

Q9: Are train and bus services impacted as well?
Yes. While impacts vary by corridor, some intercity trains and buses have experienced delays, reduced schedules or temporary suspensions in heavily affected areas, particularly where snow, ice or high winds make it unsafe to operate or access stations and terminals.

Q10: What is the best way for travelers to stay updated as the situation evolves?
Travelers are advised to monitor local forecasts and alerts from the National Weather Service, check real-time updates from airlines, airports and transportation agencies, and use official apps or text alerts when available. Keeping devices charged and confirming plans before leaving for the airport or starting a long drive can help reduce last-minute surprises as Winter Storm Ezra continues to move through the region.