Quick Read
- Newark Airport saw over 240 flight cancellations and 260 delays on December 26–27, 2025 due to a major winter storm.
- The storm coincided with record holiday travel; AAA predicted over 122 million Americans traveling during this period.
- Snow totals at Newark were lower than expected due to sleet and ice, but hazardous conditions persisted across the region.
As the holiday season reaches its peak, Newark Liberty International Airport has become the epicenter of travel chaos, with a historic winter storm unleashing widespread disruptions across New Jersey and the broader Northeast. What was forecasted as a routine winter event quickly evolved into one of the most severe storms in recent years, paralyzing airport operations and sending ripple effects through the region’s transportation networks.
By Friday afternoon, Newark Airport reported at least 244 flight cancellations and 261 delays, according to FlightAware data cited by NorthJersey.com. The scale of the disruption mirrored the situation at New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports, where hundreds more flights were impacted. The timing could not have been worse: the year-end travel rush, with AAA predicting a record 122.4 million Americans traveling between December 20, 2025 and January 1, 619, meant terminals were already crowded, amplifying the storm’s impact.
The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for the region, forecasting between 5 and 9 inches of snow for North Jersey and surrounding areas, with the heaviest precipitation expected Friday evening. But as the storm intensified, a stubborn mix of sleet and freezing rain swept through, holding snow totals down in many areas. Newark itself saw just 2.5 inches at the airport and 2.3 inches downtown, while towns to the north like Ramsey and Harrison received up to 4 inches, according to town-by-town reports from the National Weather Service.
Travelers arriving at Newark encountered not only long lines and crowded terminals, but also the uncertainty of rapidly changing flight statuses. Airlines, including United, JetBlue, American, and Southwest, responded by issuing travel alerts and waiving change fees, trying to accommodate passengers whose plans were upended. United Airlines proactively reduced its schedule, and JetBlue canceled about 350 flights across Friday and Saturday, according to statements cited by IBTimes.
Outside the airport, the storm’s footprint was visible on roads and in communities throughout the tri-state area. Municipal governments mobilized resources, with snow plows, salting crews, and additional staff on standby. Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared a state of emergency, warning of icy, slippery conditions and implementing travel restrictions on commercial vehicles across interstate highways. New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul and Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont issued similar warnings, urging residents to avoid non-essential travel and prepare for hazardous road conditions.
The storm’s meteorological roots—a potent Alberta Clipper system supercharged by Pacific moisture—created a narrow but intense band of precipitation. Meteorologist Jeff Smith described it as an ‘Alberta Clipper on steroids’ in coverage by ABC7NY. The heaviest snow fell north and east of New York City, with Central Park recording 4.3 inches—the highest since January 2022—while parts of Connecticut and Long Island saw up to 9 inches in isolated spots. In contrast, the intrusion of sleet and freezing rain kept totals lower in Newark and much of New Jersey, but compounded the risk of icy roads and power outages.
The human impact was immediate and far-reaching. For many, the storm transformed long-anticipated reunions and holiday celebrations into hours spent waiting, rescheduling, or simply stranded. Families, business travelers, and airline crews alike faced the challenge of navigating not just snow and ice, but the unpredictability of modern travel in the face of nature’s force. For some, the frustration was palpable: terminals emptied out, flights ground to a halt, and the usual rhythm of the holidays was disrupted.
By Saturday morning, as the storm began to wind down, attention shifted to cleanup and recovery. Temperatures remained below freezing, ensuring that snow and ice lingered and keeping road conditions hazardous. The National Weather Service kept AccuWeather Alerts in effect, urging caution and patience as crews worked to restore normalcy.
Ultimately, the winter storm of December 26–27, 2025 will be remembered not just for its meteorological significance, but for the way it exposed the vulnerability of even the most sophisticated travel systems to nature’s unpredictability. Newark Airport, along with its regional peers, faced a true test of resilience, coordination, and adaptability as thousands of travelers and workers navigated a weekend upended by weather.
This episode at Newark Airport shows that, even with modern forecasting and contingency planning, a single powerful storm can still overwhelm critical infrastructure and disrupt the lives of millions. The lesson for travelers and officials alike is clear: preparation matters, but flexibility and patience are indispensable when the weather refuses to cooperate.