American Airlines canceled all flights to New York City’s two airports Tuesday as carriers grounded more than 5,300 trips ahead of a winter storm that threatens to batter the U.S. Northeast.

The New York area was under a blizzard warning with snowfall of as much as 24 inches (61 centimeters) and wind gusts of up to 55 mph (88 kilometers per hour) expected on Tuesday. The storm was affecting service at 40 airports, American said, also including Washington-Reagan and Chicago.

American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, canceled all operations Tuesday at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International, aiming to resume normal service Wednesday morning. Flights at Boston were grounded starting 8 a.m. local time Tuesday and before 5 p.m. Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Delta Air Lines and its regional carriers canceled about 130 flights Monday, said Michael Thomas, a spokesman. More may be dropped as the airline assessing the situation, he said. Southwest Airlines Co. grounded more than 1,300 through Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for United Continental Holdings wasn’t immediately available.

EPAM Systems Inc. canceled an annual investor day Tuesday in New York because of the approaching storm, and Innophos Holdings Inc. delayed a similar meeting that had been set for March 15.