A few tips sent over to me by the travel-minded writers at Airfarewatchdog to help avoid getting stuck due to inclement weather.
1. Travel insurance is a good back-up plan
Travel insurance is often key as it usually will cover at least some of your out-of-pocket expenses.2. Avoid stormy airports
Airfarewatchdog advises - Don't take connecting flights through snow-prone airports (e.g., avoid Minneapolis, Denver and Chicago, connect through Atlanta instead).
3. Attending an important event - plan to arrive a couple of days early
If weather grounds you, and you're going to miss the event, funeral, or meeting, you should be able to get a full refund even on a non-refundable fare, if you haven't yet flown.
4. Make friends, sleep on their couch instead of the airport floor
Are you stuck because of a snow storm? Tornado swept away any chance of flying?
Airfarewatchdog suggest that the airport hotels are booked or you can't afford a room, to make new friends by using http://www.couchsurfing.org/ for a free and comfortable night's stay.