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- Tagged winter storm travel.
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Old Man Winter has a lot in store for us during the 2026-2027 season, just as people head out for the holidays and vacations. Families get together over Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and many school kids have winter breaks in February, the perfect time to escape for some adventure and fun in the sun.
But winter weather can quickly derail travel plans, especially during some of the year’s busiest travel periods. And with El Niño expected to play a significant role in the 2026–2027 winter season, travelers could face additional challenges. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the forecast calls for warmer-than-average temperatures across the northern U.S. and wetter-than-average conditions across the southern states, from California to Florida, and along the Eastern Seaboard. A shift in the jet stream could increase storm activity across the South, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flooding that can reduce visibility, affect airport operations, and cause flight delays and cancellations.
Early-Season Weather Disrupts Air Travel Across the U.S.
On October 10–11, heavy, wet snow across central Montana brought down tree limbs and power lines, knocking out power in Lewistown and delaying flights in Great Falls by about three hours while crews cleared the runways.
On October 27, FlightAware listed nearly 2,000 U.S. flights delayed and more than 50 canceled by evening, with the FAA warning that low clouds could delay flights at Denver, Seattle-Tacoma, and San Diego.
On October 30, more than 570 U.S. flights were delayed and more than 50 canceled, with the FAA citing low clouds in Denver and winds in Las Vegas and Newark.
These events show how early-season weather can affect airline schedules, airport operations, and connecting flights, even before the traditional winter travel season begins.
Winter Weather Can Also Disrupt European Travel
Travelers heading to Europe aren’t immune to winter weather disruptions, either. Snow, ice, strong winds, and winter storms can affect major airports in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and other European cities, leading to flight delays, cancellations, and missed connections. Even when the weather is clear at a traveler’s departure airport, severe conditions at a connecting hub or destination can disrupt flights across the Atlantic.
Protecting Your Travel Plans
A winter storm can do more than keep your plane on the ground. It can mean paying for an unexpected hotel stay, missing the first day of a cruise, or losing money on prepaid reservations you can’t use. Travel insurance can help cover some of those costs. It all depends on the coverage you buy, the reason for the disruption, and the policy terms.
Here’s where different types of protection may come into play:
- Your flight is delayed overnight. Travel Delay coverage may reimburse reasonable expenses such as meals, lodging, and local transportation when a covered weather-related delay meets the policy’s minimum waiting period.
- A storm forces you to cancel your trip. Trip Cancellation coverage may reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if severe weather causes a cancellation for a reason covered by your policy, such as a weather event that prevents you from reaching your destination or leaves it uninhabitable.
- You miss a cruise departure or connecting transportation. Missed Connection coverage may help pay additional transportation costs and certain unused trip expenses when a covered delay prevents you from reaching your departure on time.
- Your trip is cut short. Trip Interruption coverage may reimburse eligible unused, nonrefundable arrangements and additional transportation expenses if a covered weather event forces you to return home early.
- Your checked baggage doesn’t arrive with you. Baggage Delay coverage may help pay for essential purchases while you wait for your belongings, subject to the policy’s waiting period and reimbursement limits.
What Travel Insurance May Not Cover
A winter storm doesn’t automatically trigger coverage. Travelers should be aware of several common limitations:
- Known storms: Purchasing coverage after a storm has been forecast or otherwise becomes a known event may mean losses related to that storm are excluded.
- Changing your mind: Deciding not to travel because the forecast looks unfavorable generally isn’t covered under standard Trip Cancellation benefits. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage may provide partial reimbursement if you purchase it within the required timeframe and meet all conditions.
- Delays that don’t qualify: A short flight delay may not meet the minimum duration required for reimbursement.
- Refundable expenses: Insurance generally won’t reimburse costs already refunded or credited by an airline or travel supplier.
- Expenses beyond policy limits: Additional hotel nights, meals, transportation, and other costs are subject to benefit limits and exclusions.
The best time to consider travel insurance is when you book your trip, before winter weather becomes a known threat. At TravelInsurance.com, travelers can compare plans from multiple insurers, review coverage for weather-related disruptions, and choose protection that fits their itinerary and budget.
Tips When Traveling During Winter Time
In addition to protecting your investment with travel insurance, here are a few extra tips.
- The snowball effect: If possible, fly early in the day and take a direct flight. Delays and cancellations tend to occur later in the day. If you have a connection, pay attention to layover times. If you have a really tight connection and your flight is running late, inform the flight attendant, who can help get you off the plane first.
- Check the weather before you leave for the airport. If the weather looks threatening, contact your airline to see if it can reroute you, including for any connecting flights.
- Use the airline app to monitor changes. You can check the inbound aircraft’s status before you head to the airport and confirm whether your flight is on time. Turn on alerts so you receive real-time messages from the airline.
- Allow for extra time at the airport. Expect long lines at security and connecting flight bottlenecks.
- Board the plane promptly. People tend to bring a lot of stuff during the holidays, especially when traveling to see family, so overhead bins fill up. You want to ensure you get your carry-on bags on the plane.
Include Travel Insurance on Your To-Do List When Making Your Plans This Winter
Compare plans and buy coverage online with TravelInsurance.com
The insuring agreement in a policy sets out the covered perils, assumed risks, and nature of coverage that the insurance company provides to its insured in exchange for the premiums paid. Thus, the terms and conditions of the policy will dictate whether coverage exists and the nature of any potential benefits.
