ATLANTA — A potent winter storm continues to wreak havoc across the Southern United States, causing extensive disruptions in air travel and forcing schools to close. Airports, particularly in Atlanta and Charlotte, are facing ongoing challenges as the storm moves out into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind lingering effects.

As of Saturday morning, major disruptions were reported at Los Angeles Times and CBS News, with more than 300 flights canceled and over 250 delayed in Atlanta alone, according to FlightAware tracking data. In Charlotte, North Carolina, approximately 200 flights were also canceled.

Sarah Waithera Wanyoike, an impacted passenger at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, expressed her frustration after being stranded with her luggage for nearly 24 hours due to the chaotic weather conditions, likening the experience to a "hostage situation." She noted, "People slept with their babies on the floors last night," highlighting the strain many travelers are enduring.

While the primary roads are reported to be mostly clear, travel remains dangerous as temperatures are expected to plummet after dusk, increasing the likelihood of melting snow refreezing into hazardous ice patches. The Guardian quoted meteorologist Scott Carroll from the National Weather Service warning that while main roads may be navigable, “secondary roads will probably still have some slush on them.”

In response to the weather emergency, states like Arkansas and North Carolina have activated National Guard troops to assist with road operations and support stranded motorists. Meanwhile, governors across multiple states have declared states of emergency. Schools in many areas from Texas to South Carolina were closed on Friday, granting children an unexpected snow day.

The storm has set records in terms of snowfall, with some areas in Arkansas and Tennessee reporting more than a year’s worth of accumulation in just a few days. CBS News noted up to 10 inches of snow reported in Little Rock and Memphis, where normal annual totals are much lower.

In addition to travel disruptions, the weather has caused widespread power outages, affecting more than 110,000 customers in Georgia alone on Friday due to freezing rain. However, as conditions begin to stabilize, officials are restoring power to affected areas.

As the storm system continues to exit, areas are bracing for the cold temperatures forecasted for the coming nights while assessing the significant aftermath of this winter weather event.