While we sit here sweating out in the Aussie summer, our counterparts in the United States are preparing for a deep freeze as an unpredictable snowstorm moves across the country.
According to East Coast officials, the snow is expected to start and continue through Thursday, while strong winds from the US snowstorm arrive on Thursday afternoon and all day Friday.
As a result, some 1,500 flights have been cancelled nation-wide today, with all cities experiencing flight disruptions.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen snowfall. Here’s a look around #iflyCHS. pic.twitter.com/UFwoVOh0Ld
— CharlestonSC Airport (@iflyCHS) January 3, 2018
Among the gateways expected to experience the most cancellations are those in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, while those in Georgia and South Carolina prepare for their own disturbances.
Airlines such as Delta, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have issued travel waivers for affected guests, which includes free cancellations and date changes for select dates. Carriers have also advised travellers to check the website before heading to the airport.
Image: @AlaskaAir/Twitter
Gateways are also advising travellers to check online before heading out as well as telling guests to “stay warm” in cold conditions.
Snow will arrive after midnight tonight and continue during the day on Thursday. The strongest winds will arrive Thursday afternoon and then even more cold by Friday pic.twitter.com/ouuYDAOZTU
— NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) January 3, 2018
We’ve got a travel alert in place for Winter Storm #Grayson. Stay warm, folks! https://t.co/kNkPUilgez
— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) January 3, 2018
Due to the severe winter weather, Delta will proactively cancel more than 400 mainline and Delta Connection regional flights 1/3-1/4, primarily at JFK & LGA as well as BOS. Additional cancellations are possible as the storm moves north. Learn more: https://t.co/ERc3HXhhaF
— Delta (@Delta) January 3, 2018
READ: “Winter Storm Grayson has no chill”: American Airlines’ hilarious response to social media users