Severe weather affecting the East Coast of the United States has led to delays and cancellations of flights to cities including New York and Boston.
In a statement posted on its website at 0400 today, Virgin Atlantic advised:
"We are monitoring the weather conditions closely and due to the approach of severe weather to Boston and New York we have cancelled our flight to and from Boston on February 8, 2013.
"We have also cancelled services to and from New York JFK and New York Newark on February 8 and 9, 2013. The adverse weather may also impact public transport to and from the airport."
British Airways says that "On Friday February 8 there will be disruption to flights to and from the East Coast of the US and public transport links to East Coast US airports may be disrupted. Please check your flight and local travel plans before leaving for the airport".
US carriers are also reporting disruption, with Delta advising that "Severe weather will impact travel to, from or through the Northeast U.S. and select cities in Canada". United published the following weather summary advice on its website at 2129 Central Time on February 7:
"Snow from the winter storm works into northern New York and northern New England Thursday night as an area of rain and wintry mix spreads into the Virginias, Maryland, Delaware, southern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey from a southern storm. Friday and Friday night the two storms combine into a huge nor'easter east of New Jersey and southeast of Massachusetts. Heavy snow and strong winds could produce blizzard conditions across New England Friday night into Saturday. Parts of New England could see two to three feet of snow.
Travel disruptions are likely and could last for days. Widespread power outages are likely. Preparations for the storm should be completed by Friday morning. Rain changes over to snow in southeast New York, New York City, New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania Friday evening as the winter storm grows stronger. From eastern Pennsylvania to the southern New England coast, including New York City, snowfall totals of six to ten inches are forecast.
"Across Upstate New York snowfall ranges from six to twelve inches along the Pennsylvania border to over a foot in central and northern sections. This nor'easter could produce coastal flooding at high tide Friday evening Long Island and coastal New England."
Aer Lingus has also cancelled several of its services between Dublin and New York / Boston today.
Report by Mark Caswell
