A significant winter storm has hit the northeastern United States, resulting in over 8,000 flight cancellations and delays on Monday. The storm blanketed large areas under thick snow, leading to road closures and school shutdowns as authorities struggled to cope with the severe weather conditions. Many travelers found themselves stranded or facing long delays as airlines scrambled to manage the disruptions caused by the storm.

According to the analysis firm Cirium, the impact of the snowstorm is expected to decrease slightly on Tuesday, with projections indicating that 7 percent of flights in the U.S. might be canceled, down from slightly over 19 percent on Monday. This suggests that while conditions are improving, many challenges still remain for travelers trying to navigate the aftermath of the storm. The disruptions have been felt not only on the airlines but also across other sectors affected by the winter weather.

As the winter storm passes, it has raised concerns about the preparedness of infrastructure to handle such severe weather in the future. It also draws attention to the potential implications of climate change on weather patterns, as unusual winter storms become more frequent in many parts of the country. The ripple effects of this storm may linger for several days as airlines work to get back to normal schedules and affected passengers seek alternate travel arrangements.