People departing Jamaica for the United States (U.S.) today should expect delays and possible disruptions in their travel. 

This as a huge winter storm has brought heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures to the east coast of the U.S.

A state of emergency has been declared in seven states.

The storm has also resulted in approximately 1,500 flights being cancelled in the U.S.

Senior Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright says despite the U.S. cancellations, operations at the island’s airports are not seriously impacted. 

He admits however, that travelers might encounter problems with their connections in the U.S.

Persons are urged to liaise with their airlines for updates. 

U.S. forecasters say the extreme weather is caused by a polar vortex – an area of cold air that circulates the arctic – bringing cold weather to the central U.S.