Winter Storm Gianna Causes Hundreds Of Flight Cancellations

January 31, 2026

As of midmorning on Saturday, Winter Storm Gianna was getting underway in the South, bringing heavy snow to the Carolinas and parts of Georgia before it pivots offshore and deepens into a powerful bomb cyclone that could bring blizzard conditions to the coasts of North Carolina and Virginia.

As snow continues to pile up across the Southeast, snowfall totals continue to increase. Below are the latest totals from the Weather Channel, as of 11 a.m.:

Balsam, North Carolina: 9.0 inches

Maggie Valley, North Carolina: 9.0 inches

Cosby, Tennessee: 8.0 inches

Jonesborough, Tennessee: 8.0 inches

Galax City, Virginia: 6.0 inches

The storm has already led the cancellation of Atlanta’s Braves Fest, impacting more than 75,000 ticket holders who were set to meet players, snag autographs and live out their baseball fan fantasies this weekend.

Gianna to be a “Bomb Cyclone”

Winter Storm Gianna is rapidly strengthening into a bomb cyclone—a term referring to rapid intensification—triggering widespread disruption across the eastern United States and impacting millions of travelers who depend on major transportation hubs.

On Saturday, FlightAware’s Misery Map showed hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at major Southern airports, as airlines and airport officials prepared for severe blizzard conditions. As of 11:30 a.m. ET, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport were reporting the most delays and cancellations.

Forecasters say the most severe impacts are expected across the Carolinas, along with parts of Georgia and Virginia, where whiteout conditions, near-blizzard winds, and hazardous travel are likely both on the ground and in the air.

Winter storm warnings and advisories extended across at least 16 states, with the National Weather Service cautioning that parts of North Carolina could face “whiteout conditions” and potentially life-threatening travel.

Travelers are advised to check with their airlines before attempting to catch a flight.