Philenews

Polar Vortex Grips New York: Blizzard Warnings and Thousands of Flight Cancellations

Published February 23, 2026, 09:14
Polar Vortex Grips New York: Blizzard Warnings and Thousands of Flight Cancellations

New York City is facing one of the strongest winter storms in recent years, with warnings of snowfall potentially exceeding 60 centimeters and wind gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the entire metropolitan area. Over 3,000 flights have been canceled at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, with tens of thousands of passengers facing delays. The Mayor of New York City is urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, as the combination of snowfall and winds could cause trees to fall and power outages. The storm is expected to peak between Sunday evening and Monday morning, with a gradual easing from Monday afternoon, however, the effects may last for several days. Authorities have put snow removal equipment and crews on alert and are using digital tools to clear bus stops and crossings.