Jimmy Carter's body heads to Washington DC but Winter Storm Blair causes unexpected complications

The casket of former President Jimmy Carter has begun its final journey to Washington D.C., despite a delay due to snowfall. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 in late December, had been lying in repose at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta.

Numerous Americans paid their respects to the oldest living president in Atlanta, and his remains are now being transported to the U.S. Capitol for Congress and the public to pay their respects.

A joint services body bearer team from the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta loaded his casket into a hearse, accompanied by music from the 282nd Army Band out of Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

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Mourners lined the streets as the hearse embarked on a 14-mile drive to Dobbins Air Reserve Base. From there, Carter's family will accompany his body on the flight to Washington.

Tuesday's schedule has been disrupted by a massive storm sweeping across the US, causing each ceremony to be delayed by approximately 90 minutes, reports the Express US.

The weather adds an unexpected layer of complexity to what was already a challenging two-week period for local officials, with Trump's inauguration set for January 20. There are concerns that the snow may deter visitors from coming to pay their respects to Carter.

According to tracking platform FlightAware.com, over 1,200 flights were canceled or delayed Monday in and out of Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. Additionally, more than 480 flights were delayed or canceled at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Ashley Preston, an associate history professor at Howard University in D.C., pointed to the unique stress of current events as adding a heightened sense of unease to the ceremonies.

This includes the stark and heated political divide that characterizes Trump's second term and the two New Year's attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas.

"The passing of a former president, and the memorial events that happen afterwards are normal, but the country finds itself in a peculiar moment where political tension is high, which makes everything seem different," Preston explained via email.

The ongoing ceremonies, set to last until Thursday, will feature a horse-drawn funeral procession on Tuesday afternoon, potentially reminiscent of the somber Nov. 22, 1963, procession for John F. Kennedy.