The brutal cold is disrupting last-minute UPS and FedEx deliveries and sending drivers sliding on icy roads. Here's where packages could be delayed.
Danny Moloshok/Invision/Associated Press
- Snowy, icy conditions are slowing deliveries three days before Christmas in the Midwest.
- UPS and FedEx both released service advisories Thursday warning of possible delays.
- Extreme cold will spread to the East Coast and South through Saturday.
A fast-moving, brutal winter weather system could jeopardize last-minute gift deliveries just three days before Christmas.
UPS and FedEx released service advisories ahead of the arctic blast weather system that's expected to bring "astronomical winter" conditions to nearly every state in the US ahead of the holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Arctic blizzards, below-freezing temperatures, and intense winds, which set in Wednesday, are forecast to impact millions of Americans from the Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Mountains through Saturday afternoon, the government agency said in a notice.
FedEx's advisory said winter weather could affect shipments going through the company's Indianapolis and Memphis air hubs. Delays at these hubs could reverberate "throughout the network," the company warned.
"Potential service disruptions may not affect FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, etc. the same. There may be different levels of impact depending on city, state and ZIP Code serviced," the alert reads.
UPS announced that severe winter weather is already affecting deliveries in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska — 314 zip codes in all.
Neither company will offer refunds for shipments that arrive late due to weather, each stipulated.
The United States Postal Service had not issued any new residential service advisories related to the "arctic blast" at the time of publication.
Though the weather system will be felt by most Americans Friday, some delivery drivers have already experienced snowy and icy conditions.
At least one UPS and one FedEx Ground driver posted on Reddit photos of trucks stuck in snowy drifts.
"I get worried for some other drivers who aren't exactly prepared that well, but there's no such thing as bad weather! Just bad attire!" said a Minnesota UPS driver, who declined to be named since he hadn't received permission from the company to speak to the media.
"I've never been stuck and don't plan on it," the driver told Insider, adding that many delivery drivers will be driving less-optimal rental trucks this time of year due to the holiday rush.
Contributer : Business Insider https://ift.tt/OG9Lwox
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Friday, December 23, 2022
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