President Joe Biden attends a briefing on winter storms across the United States in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
Patrick Semanski | AP
President Joe Biden has warned Americans traveling ahead of the Christmas holiday weekend, and if possible, to avoid a large storm expected to hit several states Thursday night. I warned you to leave.
“It’s not like snow days as a kid,” Biden said. “This is a serious problem.”
Biden was briefed Thursday morning in the Oval Office by officials from the National Weather Service and FEMA. Most of the continental United States is on warning for blizzards, ice storms and winter storms. Other areas have warnings of cold winds, freezing and flooding.
The National Weather Service’s website warns of an approaching “extensive and dangerous Arctic blast” that will cause “life-threatening cold” and “consume much below 48 degrees.” Midwest and Great Lakes Most of the snowfall is expected in the region, and nearly all of the Five Plains regions are under wind and chill warnings. The storm “could have devastating and devastating effects throughout the central and eastern United States.”
Airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights from Wednesday to Friday, according to tracking site FlightAware. That period includes when the airline expects its busiest hours before Sunday, which is Christmas.
American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, and other airlines have issued weather waivers to dozens of destinations nationwide, allowing travelers to You can now change your departure city without paying change fees or fare differences.
Regardless of how you plan to travel, Biden urged Americans to heed the guidance and take heed.
“Be aware of local warnings,” Biden said, adding that information can be found at weather.gov.
Biden said the White House has tried to contact governors in 26 states where the storm will hit.
CNBC’s Leslie Josephus Contributed to this article.
