MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Severe weather grounds numerous flights throughout US

This is a serious matter, Biden said.

Bad weather led to the cancellation of a large number of commercial flights throughout the United States ahead of the Christmas Eve celebrations, it was reported.

Weather forecasters explained the country was going through a major winter storm named Elliot, which could quickly develop into what is known as a “bomb cyclone,” a phenomenon that occurs when pressure drops and a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass. Over 2,200 flights were canceled while some 6,900 were rescheduled.

In places such as Colorado and Wyoming temperatures reached -40 degrees Celsius, it was reported. States such as Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia, and North Carolina implemented contingency plans. “This is not like a snow day when you were a kid,” President Joseph Biden told reporters at a White House briefing. “This is serious stuff,” he added. Authorities have advised people against traveling and some airlines have already issued waivers to allow passengers to change their flights free of charge.

“People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite within minutes,” the national weather service warned. “The areas most prone to frostbite are bare skin and extremities, such as hands and feet. Hypothermia is another threat during extreme cold.”

Americans have been posting videos on social media of the so-called “boiling water challenge” in which boiling water is thrown into the air and immediately freezes.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration reported domestic traveling for this holiday season was near pre-pandemic levels.