The US military agency known for tracking Santa Claus as he delivers presents on Christmas Eve does not expect Covid-19 or the “bomb cyclone” winter storm affecting large parts of North America to affect present delivery.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or Norad, is responsible for monitoring and defending the skies above North America.
But the agency based in Colorado Springs also runs the Norad Tracks Santa service, which allows people to follow his Christmas journey through its website, social media channels and a mobile app.
The agency plans to have about 1,500 volunteers working on Christmas Eve to field phone calls from children who want to know Santa’s location and schedule.
Lt Gen David Nahom, a Norad official in Anchorage, Alaska, said the pandemic had not affected Santa’s schedule and he did not expect any problems this weekend.
Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall disrupting holiday travel in the US shouldn’t be a problem for a man who lives at the North Pole, Nahom said.
“I think Santa will be right at home with the arctic weather that’s hitting into the lower 48,” the general said.
The Norad holiday tradition began in 1955, after a kid mistakenly called a Colorado military command asking to speak to Santa. More calls came in so the commander on duty assigned an officer to answer them, and the tradition took hold. » …
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