Virtually every departing flight at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was cancelled on Sunday as Winter Storm Fern delivered heavy snow, ice and bitter cold to the US capital region, triggering one of the most severe single-day aviation shutdowns since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flight tracking data showed that departures at Reagan National were effectively halted as conditions deteriorated overnight, with snow rapidly accumulating on runways and taxiways. Video footage circulating online showed airport departure boards dominated by red “cancelled” notices, while aircraft remained parked at gates under falling snow.
The shutdown at Reagan came amid a broader collapse in US air travel, with more than 10,200 flights cancelled nationwide on January 25, marking the highest one-day total in several years. Airlines cited unsafe runway conditions, limited ground operations and cascading crew and aircraft disruptions as the storm intensified.
Passengers were advised to monitor official airport updates and airline alerts before travelling. Reagan National’s operational status is published via the airport’s live flight status page.
Winter Storm Fern arrived faster and harder than many travellers expected. Forecasters had warned of catastrophic impacts as the system pushed east, but conditions escalated rapidly overnight, burying vehicles, icing roads and overwhelming airport operations before dawn. At Reagan, the compact layout and proximity to the Potomac River can make snow and ice particularly disruptive when temperatures plunge.
JUST IN: Virtually every flight canceled at Reagan Airport as RECORD 10,200 flights scrapped due to major winter storm slamming the US https://t.co/fQYgpuFquQ pic.twitter.com/eBjzXBSjBM
— Rapid Report (@RapidReport2025) January 25, 2026
Airport workers faced severe limitations as visibility dropped and ice accumulation made ramp activity unsafe. With aircraft unable to depart, inbound flights were also delayed or diverted, compounding congestion across the Washington region and leaving little room for recovery once conditions worsened.
The disruption extended well beyond aviation. Power outages climbed past 700,000 customers across more than 20 states, stretching from New Mexico to the East Coast, as ice and wind damaged infrastructure and demand surged during record-low temperatures.
Airlines operating at Reagan issued broad travel waivers, allowing passengers to rebook or cancel without penalty. However, industry analysts warned that recovery would not be immediate. When an airport like Reagan shuts down entirely, aircraft and crews are displaced across the network, often leading to secondary cancellations even after weather conditions improve.
The airport’s role as the closest commercial gateway to downtown Washington makes its closure especially disruptive. While larger hubs can sometimes absorb delays through schedule reshuffling, Reagan’s tightly controlled slot system and short-haul focus leave little flexibility once operations are suspended.
By late Sunday, crews were working to clear runways and restore safe operating conditions, but officials cautioned that lingering ice and extreme cold could delay a full return to service. Passengers scheduled to travel in the next 24 to 48 hours were urged to remain flexible and expect rolling delays as airlines attempt to rebuild schedules.
Winter Storm Fern’s impact on Reagan National stands as a stark reminder of how quickly severe weather can paralyse even the most strategically important airports. In a system built on precision and timing, once momentum is lost, recovery becomes a test of patience for travellers and operators alike.
