Delays, cancellations at RDU ahead of winter storm. Have you checked your flight?
Flight delays and cancellations have already started coming in at Raleigh-Durham International Airport ahead of a predicted winter storm expected to impact nearly every state.
More than half a million people will be traveling through the airport over 18 days considered holiday travel, with the busiest day on Friday with an estimated 38,308 travelers. Christmas Day is projected to be the slowest day with 24,836 passengers, the airport said.
In total, 589,435 people will be flying in and out of RDU from Saturday, Dec. 17 through Tuesday, Jan. 3, a news release stated.
As of Thursday morning, there were 12 flight delays and cancellations at RDU from Southwest, American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines with planes heading to Washington, D.C.; New York; Florida; Denver; Atlanta; Boston and Chicago.
Travelers are entitled to a refund if their flights are canceled, even for non-refundable tickets, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“You are also entitled to a refund for any bag fee that you paid, and any extras you may have purchased, such as a seat assignment,” the department’s website said.
RDU is urging people to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. You can also check flight statuses on RDU’s website at rdu.com/airline-information/flight-status.
Frigid temperatures this weekend
Every state in the continental United States will experience temperatures below 20 degrees on Christmas Eve, according to the National Weather Service.
The winter storm and cold front will “produce widespread disruptive and potentially crippling impacts across the central and eastern United States.”
“The combination of snow and wind is likely to lead to blizzard conditions in some areas, making travel dangerous, and at times, impossible,” a news release said.
In the Triangle, temperatures are expected to fall into the teens during the weekend nights, according to the National Weather Service.
The highest temperatures this weekend will reach the mid-30s, though and wind chill values could feel as low as 8 degrees.
This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 9:42 AM.