Travel Alert February 2019: Winter Storm Affects the United States From Southwest to Midwest
You may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to a winter storm which will affect numerous areas of the United States from the southwest to the midwest over the weekend.
Travel Alert February 2019: Winter Storm Affects the United States From Southwest to Midwest
A winter storm brought snow whose accumulation measured in feet and blizzard conditions to portions of the southwestern United States. Travel was shut down over the mountains of Arizona, New Mexico and southwestern Colorado; and at 35.9 inches of snow accumulation, Flagstaff set a new all-time daily record.
Meanwhile, Las Vegas already received approximately four inches of snow.
This same winter storm is expected to deliver up to two feet of snow — complete with blizzard conditions due to strong gusty winds — to the midwestern United States by the time Sunday, February 24, 2019 arrives. Cities to be affected include Minneapolis, Omaha, Des Moines, Madison, Sioux City, Wichita, Saint Paul and Lincoln
Many areas of the United States will be too warm to see snow; but delays in air travel may still occur due to rain — from Chicago to Boston and from Buffalo to . For example, heavy rain has been falling in much of the southern United States this past week with more to come; and many areas are under flood watches and warnings.
Severe weather — including thunderstorms, large hail and possible tornados — is forecast to occur in the southeastern United States over the weekend. This includes cities such as Shreveport, Saint Louis, Jackson, Nashville, Little Rock, Huntsville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Evansville.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada is in your travel plans over the next couple of days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may 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 the affected areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are nine airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Midwestern United States: 20 airports in seven states and two provinces for Saturday, February 23, 2019 through Sunday, February 24, 2019; and Wednesday, February 27, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Flagstaff for Wednesday, February 20, 2019 through Friday, February 22, 2019; and Tuesday, February 26, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for 18 airports in seven states for Saturday, February 23, 2019 through Sunday, February 24, 2019; and Wednesday, February 27, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
- Midwestern United States: Seven airports in seven states for Saturday, February 23, 2019; and Saturday, March 9, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Birmingham, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis and Nashville for Saturday, February 23, 2019; and Saturday, March 9, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Denver and Tucson for Friday, February 22, 2019; and Friday, March 8, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Las Vegas for Wednesday, February 20, 2019 through Friday, February 22, 2019; and Friday, March 8, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for seven airports in five states for Saturday, February 23, 2019; and Friday, March 8, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Allegiant Air has issued travel alerts for 24 airports in 13 states for Wednesday, February 20, 2019 through Saturday, February 23, 2019.
- Sun Country Airlines has issued a travel alert for Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport for Saturday, February 23, 2019 through Sunday, February 24, 2019; and Friday, March 1, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
- Las Vegas for Friday, February 22, 2019 through Saturday, February 23, 2019.
- Dallas, Denver and Houston for Friday, February 22, 2019.
- WestJet Airways has issued travel alerts for:
- Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo, Thunder Bay, London and Toronto for Saturday, February 23, 2019 through Sunday, February 24, 2019.
- Ottawa, Quebec City and Montréal for Sunday, February 24, 2019.
- East Coast of Canada for Sunday, February 24, 2019 through Monday, February 25, 2019.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for 18 airports in seven states for Saturday, February 23, 2019 through Sunday, February 24, 2019; and Wednesday, February 27, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Summary
Additional airlines will almost certainly issue travel waivers as a result of this winter weather system as it continues to travel eastward.
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 ©2017 by Brian Cohen.
