More than 1,600 flights have been canceled in the United States due to the winter storm

Western United States, on winter storm alert 1:44

(CNN) – More than 1,600 flights were canceled Wednesday in the United States, as a winter storm swept across the country.

By 8:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, a total of 1,640 flights to and from the United States had been cancelled, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.

The regional airline SkyWest, which operates through partnerships with United, Delta, American and Alaska Airlines, has canceled more than 350 flights. Delta and Southwest have canceled more than 250 flights.

More than 5,000 flights were delayed on Wednesday.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Denver International Airport and Wayne County Metropolitan Airport in Detroit were the hardest hit, according to FlightAware. Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada, Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport also experienced disruptions to their operations.

More than 400 flights have already been canceled for the Thursday in advance of Wednesday.

Southwest Airlines has issued winter weather waivers to dozens of airports.

Delta Airlines issued waivers Winter weather in the upper midwest and winter climates Rocky Mountains and mountains.

American Airlines And united They also issued winter weather waivers for travel this week.

The flight disruption comes after winter weather spells were issued in 29 states, including California, Minnesota and Maine, with warnings of severe ice, severe cold and sleet as part of the three-day storm.

The Minneapolis area of Minnesota is at risk of picking up at least 15 inches (38 cm) of snow, and the National Weather Service (NWS) in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area warns that the powerful storm “will bring widespread snow accumulation, with mainly snowfall From Wednesday to Thursday.”

Significant travel disruptions are expected with this storm, especially with the second phase from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. Small side streets and roads/roads in open areas may not be passable until Friday.”

CNN’s Aya Al-Amrousi also contributed to this article.