Feb. 21, 2026, 5:35 p.m. ET
Here we go again. Another major winter storm, due to hit the East Coast starting Sunday, Feb. 22, is expected to hamper travel for days after the Nor’easter passes.
Just four weeks ago, a huge winter storm dropped snow, sleet and freezing rain from Texas to New England. Now the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are bracing for blizzard conditions and airlines are already trying to ease the storm’s impact on operations.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines on Feb. 21 alerted travelers with flights booked for Feb. 22 and 23 departing from and going through East Coast airports from Virginia to Maine that change fees and fare differences would be waived if they want to adjust their plans.
Snowstorm expected to make travel ‘treacherous, if not impossible’
The governors of New Jersey and New York have already issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which is expected to create major travel disruptions and delays. “These are very dangerous driving conditions, so please plan to stay off the roads,” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Saturday, Feb. 21.
Amtrak is adjusting service on the East Coast for Sunday and Monday, Feb. 22-23, the company said.
More than 1,000 flight cancellations are expected on Sunday with 1,500 more on Monday, AccuWeather experts estimate.
In posts on X, New York airports John F. Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia Airport, along with Boston Logan International Airport, alerted travelers to check their flight status regularly with their airline before heading to the airport.
“Travel will be treacherous, if not impossible, during the worst of the storm. More than 2,500 flights could be canceled at major airports across the Northeast,” said Carl Erickson, AccuWeather’s director of forecasting operations. “Blowing snow with near-zero visibility will make travel on the highways incredibly dangerous. People attempting to drive through this nor’easter could end up stranded for hours.”
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.