A massive storm system dubbed Winter Storm Lucian in the West is heading toward the Midwest and Northeast and leaving a path of ice, snow and flooding in its wake.
According to ABCNews.com, around three dozen states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan were under winter weather alerts Wednesday and airlines serving impacted areas have started issuing travel advisories.
On Wednesday, the storm stretched from the Rockies all the way to the Ohio River Valle, where severe storms and flooding are likely. Forecasters expect the northeast to experience freezing rain and a wintry mix through Thursday.
Winter Storm Lucian to Spread Heavy Snow and Ice
From The Weather Channel iPhone App pic.twitter.com/txNFu4aT5c
— Allyssa Fairchild (@Fairchi3Allyssa) February 5, 2019
Winter Storm Lucian Moving Ice and Snow Threat East
From The Weather Channel iPhone App pic.twitter.com/1aYc9cW1h5
— Disaster Services (@svdpusadisaster) February 6, 2019
According to FlightAware.com as of 10:30 a.m. ET, over 320 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled so far Wednesday and another 550-plus flights were delayed.
For those flying with American Airlines, the carrier has started waiving change fees for those scheduled to travel February 5-6 to or from the Midwestern United States and Canada.
Delta Air Lines has also issued travel advisories for 26 cities in the Great Lakes region, 15 cities in the Northeastern U.S. and 26 airports in the Northern Plains. Southwest has also expanded its travel warnings through Thursday.
United Airlines customers in the Rocky Mountain Region and the Midwest Region have also been issued travel waivers through Thursday.