Flights, trains canceled as storm snarls travel in mid-Atlantic states

Travel was snarled Friday around Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other parts of the mid-Atlantic by a massive storm that could dump more than a foot of snow on the region.

Airlines have grounded flights, some through Sunday morning, and Amtrak has halted trains.

Southwest Airlines canceled much of its service to and from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and other mid-Atlantic cities for Friday afternoon/ evening; all flights on Saturday and some on Sunday morning. Other airlines, including Delta and American, also were canceling flights.

Travelers can get a refund for canceled flights or rebook without paying penalty fees, within time frames that vary by airline.

Amtrak canceled train service for Friday and Saturday for Washington, D.C., Virginia and the Carolinas due to the storm.

Air travelers should check the status of their flights before going to the airport since cancellations and delays can boomerang through the air-travel system. Check with your airline or see Sea-Tac Airport's real-time flight information at http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/The National Weather Service warned snow accumulations of 18 inches to 28 inches are expected from Baltimore to northern Virginia and parts of West Virginia.

Blizzard warnings were in effect in much of Delaware and southern New Jersey from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, with strong winds and blowing, drifting snow.

Philadelphia could get about a foot of snow and 12 to 20 inches are expected in the Pittsburgh area.

Road crews were scrambling for equipment and funds to clear streets and highways. Maryland highway officials said they have spent about $50 million so far clearing and treating roads this winter. That's almost twice the $26 million that had been budgeted.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said it already spent the $79 million budgeted for statewide snow removal and was tapping into emergency maintenance funds. Once that $25 million reserve is exhausted, the department said it will have to dip into other programs to cover its costs.