CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Strong winds and whiteout conditions. The perfect recipe for flight cancellations amid the Martin Luther King weekend.
At the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, everything going out and coming in is canceled until further notice.
"I've been here all day, just right here, on this couch," a traveler named Chris said.
Chris was one of the few sleeping at the airport. He's been trying to get back home to San Diego since Saturday morning. He made himself a cot on the airport couches.
"I'm stuck here for probably a good two days," Chris said.
Across the hall is Michael Smith, catching some sleep also.
"I'm just going to hang out here. It's warm. Seats are comfortable, got electricity, got vending, got restrooms," Smith said.
But what he doesn't have is an active flight back to Indianapolis. Smith says his military experience prepared him to sleep anywhere.
According to NFTA, high winds are causing visibility issues. The winds are blowing snow, making it hard for pilots to see. It also causes deicing problems, parking planes all day Saturday and leaving folks stuck for another day.
In Seattle, Ruth Goldman is stuck at her mom's condo after trying to get back home Friday for work.
"I'm really bummed. I felt like yesterday was the best for travel."
Goldman says it's abnormally cold in Seattle. It's making mom's condo colder than it should be. Ruth and her mom have to bundle up with jackets and hoods inside.
"I gave myself a four-day window before I needed to be back in person at work, but I'm a little concerned now," Goldman said.
Flights for Sunday are already canceled. Check with your airline for any flight status.