UPS, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service are warning of potential delivery delays as Winter Storm Fern blankets large swaths of the country with snow and ice and stymies transportation networks.
UPS is providing pickup and delivery services as conditions permit but said some delays are possible, per the carrier's website. The carrier said more than 3,000 ZIP codes in Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Indiana will not receive pickup or delivery services on Monday because of the storm.
Disruptions are also expected in the company's air network due to severe weather affecting its primary air hub in Louisville, Kentucky, according to UPS.
"Although your location may not be impacted by adverse weather, the movement of packages in the network may be delayed by conditions in other areas," UPS said. "We will work to ensure the safety of our employees while minimizing effects on service."
FedEx issued a national service disruption on Monday, with the carrier warning that shipments with a Monday delivery commitment may be delayed. Although FedEx deployed contingency plans to limit impacts at key hubs in Memphis, Tennessee, and Indianapolis, delays could continue throughout the week, per the service alert.
FedEx and UPS shipments that are delayed due to inclement weather are not eligible for a money-back guarantee, according to the carriers.
The Postal Service warned of the winter storm's potential impacts to its transportation and delivery operations in an industry alert Thursday. The agency has suspended its service guarantee for Priority Mail Express and halted its acceptance and transportation of birds, insects and other live cargo until Tuesday due to the weather, according to alerts issued Saturday.
"The storm is bringing extreme Arctic Vortex type temperatures that put the Lives at risk," the Postal Service said of the live shipping embargo. "Air network impacts are extensive. Surface transportation is impacted due to snow and ice accumulation on the roads from Texas to the Northeast."
