Shipping Alert! Severe Winter Storms Hit the UK and US, Disrupting 10,000+ Flights
Every winter, the United States faces the possibility of heavy snow and blizzards.
When weather conditions are severe, flights are canceled, traffic grinds to a halt, schools close, and businesses shut down, leaving everyone at home…. In these circumstances, sellers may receive more orders, but grounded flights and delivery delays can reduce on-time delivery rates and affect sellers’ performance metrics.
Since December, severe winter storms, including blizzards, have continued to batter countries across Europe and the United States.
United States: Extreme snow and rain cause disruption, weather alerts issued in more than 10 states
According to the National Weather Service, a cold front arrived in the western United States on December 12 (Monday), bringing a winter storm with wind speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. It is moving east, bringing blizzards to the Midwest and triggering tornadoes in the South.
Currently, nearly 15 million people across more than 10 U.S. states are facing severe weather. Parts of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska are affected.
The National Weather Service warned that the storm is expected to “develop into a possible blizzard” over the next few days. The winter storm is forecast to sweep across the country, bringing heavy snow and rain to some areas.
The combination of heavy snow, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts will cause urban flooding and hazardous travel conditions across the United States. Drivers may encounter standing water and low visibility, and air travel may also be delayed.
More than 10,000 flights delayed or canceled in the United States
Large numbers of domestic and international flights in the United States have been disrupted as runways were forced to close due to severe weather.
So far, this powerful winter blizzard has caused thousands of flight delays across the United States. According to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware cited by CBS News, the ongoing December storm has also caused more than 10,000 flight delays or cancellations since Monday.
In the Northeast, Natural World News also reported earlier this week on disruptions, including flight delays at Boston Logan International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In addition, the weather has caused road closures in some western states, where up to 2 feet (60 centimeters) of snow is expected. A 10-mile stretch of eastbound Interstate 80 was closed due to zero visibility, and sections of other highways were also shut down. According to the National Weather Service, parts of the major Midwestern highways I-90 and I-94 may also be forced to close.
Sellers should note that the blizzard is seriously affecting U.S. freight and supply chains, and delivery services from carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and USPS are also experiencing delays due to the severe blizzard conditions.
In addition, some Amazon warehouses in the hardest-hit areas may temporarily close because of the blizzard, making it impossible to deliver shipments in such severe weather.
With flights grounded on a large scale, air freight is now facing longer booking queues, and prices may also rise sharply.
One freight forwarder said: “There are currently a large number of flight cancellations. Booked shipments may be delayed or rerouted to varying degrees, or even canceled at short notice and postponed to the next flight. The same applies to second-leg transport. The resulting cargo backlog may also lead to shipments being left behind. No airline is immune.”
Many freight forwarders have now issued notices urging sellers to prepare their shipments in advance and confirm prices before dispatch.
United Kingdom: Logistics disrupted by extreme cold, severe backlog at DPD warehouses
As the cold front moves in, the United Kingdom is also experiencing heavy snowfall and a sharp drop in temperatures.
The meteorological service has issued seven yellow warnings for ice, fog, and snow, with England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland affected to varying degrees.
On Sunday and Monday, around 240 flights scheduled to depart from or arrive at UK airports were canceled, with Stansted, Gatwick, and Luton airports hit hardest.
Due to heavy snowfall, London Stansted Airport and Gatwick Airport closed their runways to clear the snow. Numerous flights were delayed or cancelled, and some inbound flights had to turn back in midair or divert to Newcastle or Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands.
The severe weather also brought road traffic to a standstill and caused widespread disruption. The M25 motorway around London was congested for several hours; the southbound carriageway of the M5 in Gloucestershire was closed after a multi-vehicle pile-up involving several trucks.
In terms of logistics, mail delivery services in some parts of the UK will be delayed or cancelled, and parcel machines may also be affected. Weather conditions are so severe in some areas of the UK that parcel machines cannot be emptied or refilled. The state-owned postal service Omniva said that, in some cases, parcel machine operations could be disrupted by power outages.
On top of this, Amazon warehouse backlogs have caused severe congestion at DPD warehouses in the UK. Tens of thousands of Amazon parcels are piled up in warehouses and cannot be delivered, while the rate at which products are being put on sale has slowed. DPD has already reduced its cargo collections. Collections for shipments bound for the UK are being limited, making deliveries more challenging and affecting shipments to varying degrees.
Overall, logistics in the UK are currently affected by multiple factors, including heavy snow, warehouse backlogs and strikes, making the outlook uncertain.
Against this backdrop, sellers focused on the North American and European markets need to strengthen communication with their logistics partners to avoid other problems caused by shipping delays.
Hai Xi Network also reminds sellers that flight cancellations, road closures, warehouse shutdowns and delays in last-mile delivery will lower the on-time delivery rate. With high shipment volumes during the peak holiday season, delays are likely to become even more severe. Sellers should monitor the logistics situation in the United States in real time throughout December and through February next year, and plan inventory accordingly.
