Due to the latest winter weather system which is forecast to result in a central United States ice storm January 2023 as well as significant precipitation to the southeastern United States over the next few days or so — which will likely result in the delays or cancellations of flights — consider ensuring that you have alternate plans ready to be implemented in case your travels are adversely affected.
Central United States Ice Storm: January 2023 Travel Alert
The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:
Treacherous Travel Conditions Expected Early In The Week
The interaction of an arctic air mass and moisture will set the stage for an expansive area of dangerous travel conditions early in the week. A zone of freezing rain and drizzle along with some sleet is very likely from parts of Texas to the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Meanwhile, heavy rain and flooding will remain in the forecast for a large portion of the Hawaiian Islands on Monday.
The map of the United States from the National Weather Service indicates that winter storm warnings have been issued for most of central Texas and parts of southern Oklahoma; while winter weather advisories and ice storm warnings have been issued from western Texas all the way to northeastern West Virginia.
Although an ice storm is expected to occur from extreme southeastern New Mexico and extreme northeastern Mexico all the way to extreme northwestern North Carolina and central Virginia, the area which is forecast to experience the most significant ice as a result of repeated onslaughts of freezing rain and sleet is from central Texas to central Tennessee, which will likely cause electric power outages in some areas. Parts of Memphis, as one example, may be covered with ice as thick as three quarters of an inch.
Meanwhile, much of the southeastern United States has been receiving significant precipitation with steady rain, with some areas experiencing thunderstorms. Travel will be affected accordingly.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within the central United States over the next few of days or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this winter weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.
Here are five airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- American Airlines has issued a travel alert for Dallas-Fort Worth for Monday, January 30, 2023 through Thursday, February 2, 2023; and Sunday, February 5, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for 13 airports in seven states for Tuesday, January 31, 2023 through Wednesday, February 1, 2023; and Saturday, February 4, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for 18 airports in nine states for Monday, January 30, 2023 through Thursday, February 2, 2023; and Sunday, February 5, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for eight airports in Texas and Oklahoma for Monday, January 30, 2023 through Wednesday, February 1, 2023; and Wednesday, February 15, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for Dallas-Fort Worth for Monday, January 30, 2023 through Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
Do not be surprised to see additional airlines issue travel waivers — as well as existing travel waivers being extended — as this winter weather system progresses towards the east.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Photograph ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
