A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow and ice to the U.S. Northeast and Great Lakes regions, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays during the busy holiday travel period. Thousands of flights were disrupted, with major New York-area airports heavily impacted. States of emergency were declared in New York and New Jersey, urging residents to avoid travel due to hazardous road conditions. While the storm was expected to weaken by Saturday morning, travel disruptions persisted.