Here is what UK travellers should know.
Winter arrived with a jolt across the United States, bringing the first widespread snow and a sharp plunge in temperatures from the Midwest to the Northeast and down into the South. Millions woke to roads dusted white and winds that stung the face, a scene that signals the season has properly turned.
The change came fast and stretched far. Lake-effect snow piled up in parts of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan on Monday, then surged east on Tuesday into upstate New York and Pennsylvania. For anyone flying to or through these hubs from Britain this week, it pays to look twice at the forecast.
Lake-effect bands keep building, and what it means for flights
Lake-effect belts along the Great Lakes delivered more than a foot of snow in places on Monday, with the Indiana State Police saying it « responded to hundreds of calls for assistance. » Flurries even reached as far south as Nashville, Tennessee, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a reminder of just how far the cold has spread.
By Tuesday, the snow train had rolled into upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania. Hydetown in Pennsylvania reported more than 12 inches, while Central Square near Syracuse logged more than 11 inches. In New York City, light snow made an appearance, and local emergency officials warned that gusty winds combined with showers could reduce visibility during the afternoon.
The pattern does not stop there. Forecasters expect lake-effect snow to continue across western New York and northern New England through Wednesday, with a winter weather advisory in place for Buffalo calling for an additional 3 to 5 inches into the morning. That kind of set-up often ripples into airport schedules, slowing de-icing and ground operations.
- Flying via New York City, Chicago or other northern hubs this week, travellers are advise to check their airline app, allow extra connection time, and keep winter layers in hand luggage for chilly terminals.
The biting wind chill across the South that catches travellers out
Freezing air has sunk deep into the South and the lower Mid-Atlantic, a push that delivered record low temperatures in dozens of Southern cities from Knoxville to the Florida Keys. It is not just the thermometer either, it is the wind chill that makes you feel it.
On Wednesday morning, the wind chill was due to dip to 34 degrees in Jacksonville, 36 in Charleston, 30 in Atlanta, 35 in Nashville and Montgomery, and 29 in Charlotte. Farther north, the Northeast felt more like the 20s to low 30s. For British visitors used to damp chill, that kind of dry cold can still catch you on a quick dash between terminals or while queueing for a taxi.
What does this mean on the ground. In many Southern cities, crews treat bridges and elevated roads when first freezes bite, which can slow early commutes and shuttle services. If you are heading to family in these areas from the UK, plan for later pick-ups and keep a hat and gloves close by.
New York City flurries and a Buffalo advisory, the details to watch
New York’s light snow on Tuesday came with a clear advisory from emergency officials who cautioned about reduced visibility when gusty winds met passing showers. The message was simple enough for city commuters, but it matters for visitors too. Keep a lid on speed when driving hire cars and expect footpaths to turn slick under bridges and by the rivers.
Upstate, the focus stays on Buffalo and the Tug Hill region east of Lake Ontario, where those persistent bands can park and dump fresh powder in short bursts. With 3 to 5 inches still possible into Wednesday morning under the advisory, localised travel delays can flare without much notice. It is the classic lake-effect story, highly changeable and streets apart within a few miles.
Further west, the early-week hit in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan left its own trail. More than a foot fell in some communities, while police and highway teams worked to clear routes after that burst. As the Indiana State Police put it, their officers « responded to hundreds of calls for assistance, » a stark measure of how quickly conditions turned.
For British travellers, the takeaway is straightforward. Routes connecting to the Great Lakes and Northeast corridor may run slower while crews keep pace with snow and ice, and Southern arrivals could feel unexpectedly raw when stepping off the plane. Check your airline before leaving home, give yourself breathing room at connections, and keep an eye on airport alerts. Winter has clocked on early, and it is already shaping the week’s plans.
