Travel Alert January 2020: Strong Storm Affects Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada

If the eastern United States and southeastern Canada are in your travel plans over the next couple of days, 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 strong storm.

Travel Alert January 2020: Strong Storm Affects Eastern United States and Southeastern Canada

This winter storm is different in the fact that it will contrast with a heat wave that has been bringing record warmth to portions of the United States — and in fact, the significant contrast in temperatures is what is causing the precipitation to occur as either rain, snow or ice and be squeezed out of the atmosphere…

…and in the colder part of the boundary, a narrow swath of the United States and Canada — from just south and west of Oklahoma City over all five Great Lakes all the way through southern Québec is forecast to be covered with up to a foot of snow, with as much as 18 inches of accumulation expected in locations which are prone to lake effect snow.

Chicago, Madison, Grand Rapids, Wichita, Tulsa, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Ottawa and Montréal are in the path of the narrow swath of where the accumulation of snow is expected to occur.

Meanwhile, portions of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin have received as much as 0.33 inches of ice — which has caused damage to tree limbs and power lines — while strong thunderstorms have been flooding portions of the southeastern United States, with some areas ravaged by tornadoes.

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If the eastern United States and southeastern Canada are 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 ten airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:

• American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 44 airports in 12 states and two provinces for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Monday, January 13, 2020; and Tuesday, January 14, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for 26 airports in seven states and two provinces for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Wednesday, January 15, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• United Airlines has issued travel alerts for 27 airports in eight states and two provinces for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Tuesday, January 14, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
  • Atlanta for Saturday, January 11, 2020; and Saturday, January 25, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Seven airports in six states for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Monday, January 27, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• JetBlue Airways has issued a travel alert for Chicago for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Tuesday, January 14, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for:
  • Eleven airports in six states for Saturday, January 11, 2020; and Friday, January 24, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Buffalo, Burlington, Portland and Syracuse for Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Friday, January 24, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth, Little Rock, Oklahoma City and Tulsa for Friday, January 10, 2020; and Friday, January 24, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Spirit Airlines has issued a travel alert for Chicago for Saturday, January 11, 2020; and Tuesday, January 14, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
• Allegiant Air has issued travel alerts for ten airports in six states for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020.
• Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
  • Chicago and 16 airports in three provinces for Saturday, January 11, 2020.
  • 14 airports in four provinces for Sunday, January 12, 2020.
• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has issued travel alerts for 26 airports in seven states and two provinces for Saturday, January 11, 2020 through Sunday, January 12, 2020; and Wednesday, January 15, 2020 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.

Summary

Additional airlines may 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 ©2019 by Brian Cohen.