Delays, cancelations at Phoenix airport as storm approaches

PHOENIX, Ariz. (AP) - A looming winter storm will sweep across much of the country this holiday week and is already having an impact at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

AZFamily.com reports nearly 50 delayed flights and almost a dozen canceled Wednesday. Most of them are departing flights.

A similar scenario occurred at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, with multiple flights either postponed or canceled altogether.

Forecasters predict an onslaught of heavy snow, ice, flooding and powerful winds from Thursday to Saturday in a broad swath of the country, from the Plains and Midwest to the East Coast.

A surge of Arctic air will then follow.

The Christmas weekend could be the coldest in decades.

Authorities are urging people to postpone travel plans if possible.

Still, the Transportation Safety Administration expects Thursday and Dec. 30 to be the busiest days at U.S. airports, with traffic expected to be near pre-pandemic levels.