Massive storm forces cancellations of thousands of flights

Freezing winter weather sweeping eastward across the country has prompted the cancellation of thousands of U.S. flights. 

More than 4,300 flights traveling within, out of or into the U.S. were canceled on Thursday, including 600 flights out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and more than 250 out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, according to FlightAware.

“We’re working around the clock to care for our customers on their travel journey and assist those affected by the winter storm,” American Airlines, which is headquartered in Fort Worth, said in a tweet on Thursday.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has already seen freezing rain, sleet and snow, and winter weather has caused almost 70,000 people in the Lonestar State to lose power. 

The National Weather Service said on Thursday that “an ongoing significant winter storm is expected to impact much of the central and Northeastern U.S. through Friday night.” 

Elsewhere in the country, the Chicago area has seen several inches of snow, while Kentucky and areas in upstate New York are expected to get snow Thursday and Friday, NBC News reported.

Roughly 108 million Americans nationwide were under winter weather and flood alerts on Thursday, while nearly 6 million were under an ice storm warning. 

On Wednesday, more than 1,000 flights were canceled as the storm and inclement weather started to move across the country. Areas from New Mexico to Maine are expected to be impacted by the cold weather system.

“Around the country, we’re planning to operate a limited or reduced schedule from some cities in the path of the storm but will make adjustments to the schedule as needed,” Southwest spokesman Dan Landson told the AP on Tuesday.