The major winter storm expected this weekend is impacting flights at major airports. As of Friday, Jan. 23, a total of 491 U.S. flights have been canceled for today, according to flightaware.com
The January winter storm will bring widespread aviation impacts from the Southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South, eventually reaching the Mid-Atlantic and New England by the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The major winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to millions across the country including Texans.The winter weather is expected to begin Friday, Jan. 23 and continue into Monday, Jan. 26.
Main impacts so far are more likely in San Francisco (SFO Airport) and Chicago (MDW, KORD airports). There have been 59 delays and 7 cancellations at the San Francisco Airport, according to flightaware.com
The Chicago O’Hare Intl (KORD) is currently experiencing departure delays an average of 29 minutes (and increasing). There have been 49 cancellations today at Chicago O’Hare Airport.
So far, a total of 1,739 flights have been delayed within, into, or out of the United States.
At El Paso International Airport, there are four flight delays and one Southwest Airlines cancellation.
Airlines began offering travel waivers to help customers avoid flight disruptions earlier in the week and have since expanded the list of covered flights.
What to do if you’re planning to fly this weekend
Get ready for disruptions. Monitor updates from your airline and consider rebooking if you can. More info on airline-specific rebooking policies related to this storm is in the section below.
If you absolutely have to travel, be prepared to roll with the punches. More flights are likely to get delayed or canceled as the storm progresses. Research your rebooking options and alternative itineraries in advance, and take advantage of airlines’ self-service tools to avoid long lines at airport agent desks, or long hold times on the phone.
“Speed is going to be critical,” Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going, told USA TODAY in a statement. “we want those who are flying to make alternative plans much sooner rather than later so they ensure they get a rebooking that works best for them. There will not be an endless supply of seats to reaccommodate you on … there is no time like the present to give yourself the best odds at a decent rebooking.”
It’s also a good idea to pack extra provisions for yourself if you’re heading to the airport this weekend.
According to Matas Cenys, head of product at eSim company Saily, bringing extra clothes and doses of any medication you may be taking, as well as essentials like charging cables, could come in handy if you get stuck.
Travel waivers by airline
Terms vary, but these waivers generally allow travelers to rebook without penalty or get flight credit if they cancel their trips.
Customers can find details, including impacted airports and key dates, on each carrier’s website linked below.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok. USAToday contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Parts of Texas could see aviation impacts during Texas winter storm 2026
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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