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Winter Storms Raise Risk of US Flight Disruptions, Jan 23–26
January 22, 2026 Weathernews
A large-scale winter storm is forecast to affect the US from January 23 through January 26. Heavy snowfall and widespread icing are expected to extend from the central regions to the East Coast, likely making travel difficult across a wide area.
At Washington Dulles International Airport, snowfall is forecast to reach 40–50 cm by 26/24Z, accompanied by prolonged periods of low visibility. As a result, extensive operational restrictions and cascading delays are highly likely.
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Zooming In on the Weekend: Weekend Weather Outlook for the US (January 24–25)
From January 24 to 25, adverse weather conditions are expected across large parts of the central and eastern US due to the influence of an upper-level trough, cold air aloft, frontal systems, and surface low-pressure development.Periods of intensifying snowfall may result in reduced visibility and low ceilings (VIS/CIG), while snow accumulation and freezing precipitation (PL/FZRA) pose a high risk of icing, requiring heightened vigilance. In Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston, precipitation is expected to begin as rain. However, as low-level cold air strengthens and surface temperatures fall, rain is forecast to gradually transition to freezing precipitation (PL/FZRA). In Dallas, weakening mid-level warm air is expected to eliminate the melting layer, allowing precipitation to further change from PL/FZRA to snow.Washington, D.C., and New York are forecast to experience snow throughout the entire event. Please note that forecast timing and amounts may change depending on the evolution of frontal systems, surface low development, and upper-level cold air intrusion.
Weekend Weather Outlook for Selected Major Airports in the Central and Eastern US
Airport
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
City
Atlanta
Dallas–Fort Worth
Washington D.C.
Houston
New York
ICAO/IATA
KATL / ATL
KDFW / DFW
KIAD / IAD
KIAH / IAH
KJFK / JFK
Snow Timing
NIL
from 12Z to 24Z 25th
from 18Z 24th to 24Z 25th
NIL
from 06Z to 24Z 25th
Snow Peak
NIL
from 12Z to 21Z 25th
from 06Z to 15Z 25th
NIL
from 15Z to 21Z 25th
Low VIS/CIG due to Snow
NIL
from 12Z to 21Z 25th
from 06Z to 15Z 25th
NIL
from 15Z to 21Z 25th
Snowfall Amount (by 24Z 25th)
NIL
15–20 cm
30–40 cm
NIL
20–30 cm
PL/FZRA Timing
from 21Z 24th to 24Z 25th
from 06Z 24th to 12Z 25th
NIL
from 09Z 25th to 24Z 25th
NIL
Airline Operational Challenges — Why Do “Unexpected Cancellations” Happen?
Large-scale flight cancellations during winter are often not the result of unforeseen weather. Instead, they often come down to a critical challenge: how to assess forecast reliability within limited decision-making time.
・Even after reviewing the TAF, confidence in the forecast may remain uncertain. ・Numerical weather prediction models can provide additional support, but it is often unclear which model should be prioritized. ・There is little time to check historical performance or consistency across multiple models. ・In operational aviation meteorology, the ability to instantly compare, evaluate, and interpret multiple sources of information has become more essential than ever.
What airlines truly need is a simple, intuitive indicator that allows them to quickly and confidently answer one key question:How reliable is the forecast for this airport?
Supporting Winter Operations with SkyAviatorsSupporting Winter Operations with SkyAviators
SkyAviators
Airport Summary & Model Comparison Helps Visualize Forecast Confidence
SkyAviators is a comprehensive weather intelligence platform developed by Weathernews for airlines. Powered by world-class meteorological data and decades of aviation weather expertise, it empowers operational decision-making when it matters most. The Airport Summary & Model Comparison feature integrates multiple numerical weather prediction models and ICAO-standard forecast reliability assessments into a single view. This enables users to quickly identify forecast discrepancies and uncertainty, supporting weather interpretation and decision-making aligned with airline operational policies.
Detailed Airport-Level Analysis
Multiple numerical weather prediction models—including regional models, global models, and proprietary forecasts—are consolidated into a single view together with historical observation data.
Objective Evaluation of Model Reliability
Forecast reliability for each numerical model is visualized using evaluation methods based on ICAO standards.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Three Models
Three numerical weather prediction models for the same region are displayed in parallel, enabling direct comparison under identical conditions.
Integrated View of Past, Present, and Future
Historical observations, current conditions, and future forecasts are seamlessly integrated into a time-series display.
Benefits
Eliminating Uncertainty in Forecast-Based Decisions
Objective reliability assessments clarify which model should be used as the decision reference. This improves both the speed and confidence of Go / No-Go decisions, helping prevent delays in operational judgment.
Consistent Decision-Making Independent of Individual Experience
Model reliability is standardized using ICAO-based evaluation methods, reducing reliance on individual expertise or personal judgment. This allows the entire team to apply consistent decision criteria.
Decision Support in Situations Where a Single Forecast Is Not Enough
When weather variability is high and decisions become challenging, multiple forecast models are compared and their confidence evaluated to provide reliable support for operational decision-making.
Significant Reduction in Information-Gathering Time
There is no need to switch between multiple websites or screens. By consolidating all relevant information into a single view, analysis time is reduced, allowing teams to focus on making decisions.
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