If the Rocky Mountains and the central United States are in your travel plans over the next couple of days or so, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to the latest winter weather system which is forecast to bring significant amounts of snow to parts of the region.
Travel Alert January 2023: Winter Storm to Affect Central United States
The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:
Winter Storm Shifting Over the Central and Southern U.S.
A winter storm will move across the central Plains and Upper Midwest Monday and Tuesday with areas of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Gusty winds will produce areas of blowing and drifting snow, resulting in reduced visibility, and difficult travel. Further South, a strong cold front will bring the threat for thunderstorms with tornadoes, damaging winds, and excessive rainfall.
The map of the United States from the National Weather Service indicates that winter weather warnings, winter weather advisories, ice storm watches, ice storm warnings, and winter storm watches have been issued from central Utah to as far south as southern New Mexico all the way to northwestern Wisconsin; while dense fog advisories have also been issued.
Snow is expected to occur from central California to southern Arizona all the way to southwestern Ontario, with up to 48 inches of snow forecast in local areas of the Rocky Mountains.
Meanwhile, ice is predicted to freeze areas from northeastern Colorado all the way to northeastern Wisconsin — most significantly from Kearney in Nebraska to La Crosse in Wisconsin. Electrical power outages will likely occur in some locations due to ice weighing down on power lines and possibly snapping them.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within the Rocky Mountains and the central United States over the next couple 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 seven airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for 26 airports in seven states for Monday, January 2, 2023 through Wednesday, January 4, 2023; and Saturday, January 7, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for:
- 30 airports in nine states for Monday, January 2, 2023 through Wednesday, January 4, 2023; and Saturday, January 7, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Salt Lake City for Sunday, January 1, 2023 through Tuesday, January 3, 2023; and Friday, January 6, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued travel alerts for 47 airports in eight states for Sunday, January 1, 2023 through Monday, January 1, 2023; and Friday, January 6, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for all airports which the airline serves throughout its system through Monday, January 2, 2023; and Monday, January 16, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for:
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul for Monday, January 2, 2023 through Tuesday, January 3, 2023; and Friday, January 6, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Denver and Salt Lake City for Monday, January 2, 2023; and Friday, January 6, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued a travel alert for Denver for Sunday, January 1, 2023 through Monday, January 2, 2023.
- Sun Country Airlines has issued a travel alert for Minneapolis-Saint Paul for Monday, January 2, 2023 through Tuesday, January 3, 2023; and Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Final Boarding Call
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.
Note: this article was originally published on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at 7:17 in the evening and updated with the latest weather and travel information. Photograph ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
