Travel Alert February 2017: Yet Another Winter Storm to Affect Northern New England and Eastern Canada
I f northern New England and eastern Canada are in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — as significant portions of New Hampshire, Maine and New Brunswick are preparing to experience yet another disruption in fewer than two weeks due to even more winter weather.
Travel Alert February 2017: Yet Another Winter Storm to Affect Northern New England and Eastern Canada
Major travel delays are expected starting later today, Wednesday, February 15, 2017 due to the convergence of two weather systems becoming one significant winter storm over New England. The aforementioned areas may receive as much as 40 inches of snow, with drifts as high as eight feet tall; and this is in addition to the snow which is already on the ground as the result of this winter storm and this winter storm — both of which occurred last week.
Sustained winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting snow, which at times will contribute to whiteout conditions — as well as possibly result in damage in local areas. This can result in the loss of electricity due to downed power lines and the possibility of fallen trees.
The remainder of the northeastern United States and eastern Canada expecting snow — though with accumulations not as significant, from a dusting to six inches — include Toronto, Burlington, Ottawa, Buffalo, Syracuse, Erie, Québec City, Halifax, Saint John and other areas from extreme northeastern West Virginia and western Maryland all the way to Newfoundland and Labrador. Expect slippery conditions on roadways.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to anywhere in northern New England or eastern Canada over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are five airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this winter weather system:
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for airports serving Bangor and Portland in Maine for Wednesday, February 15, 2017 and Thursday, February 16, 2017; and Sunday, February 19, 2017 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 16 airports in four states and three provinces with different travel dates.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for two airports in two states with different travel dates.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for five airports in three states with different travel dates.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for 15 airports in two states and five provinces with different travel dates.
Summary
As you can see, the aforementioned alerts widely vary by airline; so be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2010 by Brian Cohen.
