Can I get compensation for a weather delay?

In the U.S., weather delays are largely uncompensated. Airlines classify weather as an "uncontrollable" event, which exempts them from the controllable delay rules (meals, hotels, rebooking on other carriers). This is the most frustrating gap in passenger rights.

What you ARE entitled to during a weather delay: a full cash refund if the delay exceeds 3 hours domestic / 6 hours international and you choose not to fly. The refund rule applies regardless of the cause — weather or not. Many travelers don't realize this.

What you're NOT entitled to: meals, hotel rooms, or compensation beyond the refund. Some airlines provide these voluntarily during major weather events, but it's discretionary. Southwest tends to be more generous during weather disruptions; ultra-low-cost carriers almost never are.

The gray area: airlines sometimes blame "weather" for delays that are actually cascading crew/aircraft positioning problems caused by earlier weather. If the weather cleared 6 hours ago but your flight is still delayed because the airline couldn't reposition its crew, that's arguably a controllable delay. Push back and ask specifically why your flight — not flights in general — is delayed.

For flights to/from the EU, EU261 rules are slightly more generous but still exempt "extraordinary circumstances" including severe weather.