Airlines Cancel Over 6,300 US Flights Ahead of ‘Catastrophic’ Weekend Storm

A major winter storm is forecast to bring a blast of snow and freezing rain to two-thirds of the country.

Published: 1/23/2026, 9:58:34 PM EST

Airlines Cancel Over 6,300 US Flights Ahead of ‘Catastrophic’ Weekend Storm — A Delta Air Lines plane prepares to take off during a winter storm at Greater Rochester International Airport in Rochester, N.Y., on Dec. 26, 2025, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video. (Joseph Frascati via Reuters)

Americans were forced to put their travel plans on ice as people in two-thirds of the nation braced for a “catastrophic” weekend storm.

Over 6,300 U.S. flights that were scheduled between Jan. 23 and Jan. 25 were canceled ahead of the incoming winter blast, according to flight tracker FlyAware.

The majority of cancellations were on Saturday and Sunday, with over 2,000 flights already canceled on both days.

Southwest and American Airlines have the most cancellations from Friday through Sunday.

American Airlines waived change fees for travelers who planned to board a flight between Jan. 24 and Jan. 27, according to a travel alert published on its website.

Frontier Airlines, United, and Delta have also waived change fees for select flights impacted by the storm.

The airports with the most cancellations this weekend include Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Georgia.

Dallas, which may experience wind chill as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit this weekend, had snow plows lined up outside the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday.

The JW Marriott Nashville slashed its prices by 50 percent for select rooms so stranded passengers have a place to stay if they use the promo code ER5 while booking through the company’s website.

A National Weather Service map released on Jan. 23, 2026, shows weather advisories and warnings stretching from the southern plains to the Northeast due to a pending winter storm. (NWS) — A National Weather Service map released on Jan. 23, 2026, shows weather advisories and warnings stretching from the southern plains to the Northeast due to a pending winter storm. NWS

Nashville is expected to get half an inch of freezing rain Saturday before the area is covered in 3-4 inches of snow Sunday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) hub in Music City.

Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) crews have prepared to clear the roads for locals and travelers trying to catch a flight.

“Our snowplows will continue to cover the additional 600 miles of roadway we added last year, but every winter storm is different,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a press release Friday.

“Two years ago, I’m sure many of us remember the frigid temperatures and layer of ice that made some roads difficult to completely clear. No matter what kind of winter weather we get this weekend, we certainly appreciate Nashvillians’ patience as our experts at NDOT assess the best way to treat our roads.”

The freezing rain in the southern part of the country is expected to be widespread, according to the NWS.

“Catastrophic impacts are expected where freezing rain totals exceed half an inch, with over an inch expected in parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and the Southern Appalachians, NWS warned in an advisory.

“Prepare for the worst. Pray for the best. Expect somewhere in between,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves wrote in an X post as he urged folks in his state—especially north Mississippi—to get ready for what could be a rough few days.

From The Epoch Times