A snowstorm disrupts air traffic in the United States, causing 8,500 flight delays.

The United States is experiencing widespread air travel disruptions due to a severe snowstorm hitting Colorado and large parts of the Northwest. FlightAware data shows that more than 8,500 flights have been delayed, in addition to hundreds of cancellations.

US authorities issued blizzard warnings starting Saturday, prompting airlines to cancel more than 1,400 domestic and international flights due to concerns about the risks of flying in the severe weather. Data indicates that 8,558 flights were delayed within, to, or from the United States, while 686 of the 1,072 flights canceled worldwide were domestically.

Data indicated that Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in Illinois was the hardest hit, with 121 flights canceled so far, causing significant congestion in terminals and delays for hundreds of passengers. The storm also affected numerous other cities in the Northwest, leading to school closures, highway closures in some areas, and disruptions to local transportation.