As a consumer in today‘s ecommerce-driven retail landscape, you‘ve likely come to expect fast, reliable shipping no matter what you order or from where. But Mother Nature doesn‘t always cooperate with our need for speed and instant gratification. Extreme weather events can throw a major wrench into even the best-laid delivery plans.
The United States Postal Service is usually a port in the storm, famous for its commitment to delivering the mail through all kinds of challenging conditions. However, despite the unofficial motto "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," there are some weather circumstances that can cause mail delivery to be suspended, cut short, or delayed.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll unpack the official USPS inclement weather policy and how it could impact you as an online shopper or ecommerce seller. Plus, get expert tips on how to prepare for and manage weather-related shipping snafus. Let‘s dig in.
How Bad Weather Impacts the Retail Supply Chain
Before we get into the specifics of USPS policies, it‘s important to understand the wider context of how weather affects retail logistics. A 2018 study by Planalytics found that adverse weather conditions cost U.S. retailers up to $1.5 million per hour of impact.
Major weather events can affect every link in the retail supply chain, including:
- Suppliers‘ ability to manufacture or ship goods to distribution centers
- The flow of products from warehouses to stores or fulfillment centers
- Last-mile delivery from stores/warehouses to customers‘ front doors
- Employees‘ ability to get to work to stock shelves, package orders, etc.
A blizzard, hurricane, or even heavy rainfall can lead to postal service interruptions, suspended operations at fulfillment centers, and slower-than-usual order processing times. An analysis by Convey found that weather-related shipping delays can be significant:
| Event | Average Delay |
|---|---|
| Blizzard | 2.8 days |
| Hurricane | 2.3 days |
| Tropical Storm | 1.8 days |
| Ice Storm | 1.5 days |
| Heavy Rain | 1.4 days |
| Polar Vortex | 1.3 days |
All of this is to say, even the mightiest and most prepared shipping organizations – including USPS – are not fully immune to the power of inclement weather. Delays and service interruptions are sometimes simply unavoidable.
The Official USPS Inclement Weather Policy
With that background in mind, let‘s take a closer look at how the United States Postal Service approaches inclement weather situations and the policies in place to keep mail moving while also prioritizing safety.
USPS Service Commitments and Weather
The official inclement weather policy states that USPS will curtail delivery only after careful consideration, and only for affected areas based on the severity of conditions. In most cases, mail delivery will continue as normal even during periods of rain, snow, sleet, and icy conditions.
According to a 2013 USPS blog post, "Postal delivery occurs in all kinds of weather, and letter carriers are prepared for the elements. When roads are impassable or mailboxes are buried, letter carriers make every attempt possible to deliver the mail."
USPS mail carriers undergo special training on how to complete their routes safely in challenging weather conditions. The Postal Service also provides employees with equipment like non-slip shoe attachments for icy conditions.
However, there are limitations to what USPS workers can realistically and safely navigate. Per USPS policy, carriers are not required to deliver to locations where safety hazards such as unshoveled snow, slippery ice, or unrestrained pets create dangerous conditions. In cases where a mail carrier feels it is unsafe to make a delivery, they can use their discretion to skip the stop until the hazard is resolved.
Service Suspensions Due to States of Emergency
In the most extreme weather events that prompt a State of Emergency declaration from federal, state, or local officials, USPS may temporarily suspend operations in affected areas. Recent examples include:
- The California wildfires in 2020 which forced USPS to shutter locations across multiple zip codes
- Hurricane Ida in 2021 which halted mail service in Louisiana
- The 2022 blizzard in Erie County, New York that brought Buffalo‘s airport to a standstill
During active States of Emergency, the priority is keeping people safe and allowing first responders to handle the crisis. USPS abides by all evacuation orders and road closures. Mail already in the system when the emergency struck will be held securely until normal operations can resume.
How USPS Compares to Other Carriers
Of course, USPS is not the only shipping game in town. Private carriers like FedEx and UPS also have inclement weather policies. In general, all of the major shipping companies emphasize safety as the top consideration, while striving to minimize service disruptions.
A few key points:
- FedEx‘s money-back guarantee does not apply when delays are caused by weather events beyond their control.
- UPS does not issue refunds for weather-related delays, and like USPS, allows drivers to skip deliveries if conditions are deemed unsafe. UPS drivers are also empowered to "change their route or make other adjustments as needed to maintain safety," per the company‘s website.
- All three major shipping companies provide service alerts on their websites to notify customers of weather-related impacts and closures.
Ultimately, no matter which carrier you use, it‘s impossible to fully eliminate the risk of weather-related delays, especially for last-mile delivery. Being proactive and having a plan is key for businesses and consumers alike.
Tips for Managing Weather-Related Shipping Delays
For Online Sellers and Retail Businesses
Ecommerce retailers are often on the front lines when disgruntled customers experience weather-induced delivery delays. To get ahead of potential issues and maintain positive customer relationships, online sellers should:
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Closely monitor weather events. Pay attention to forecasts and news reports for all of the regions you ship to or from. Look out for State of Emergency declarations and shipping carrier service alerts.
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Communicate proactively with customers. If you anticipate weather-related delays, let shoppers know upfront. Provide frequent updates via your website, email, social media, and customer support channels.
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Build some buffer into delivery guarantees. Avoid promising hard-and-fast delivery dates, especially during seasons prone to disruptive weather. Give yourself some wiggle room with ranges like "arrive by" dates instead of specific days.
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Consider alternative shipping options. If you know a storm is coming, explore temporarily rerouting orders through unaffected locations. Evaluate backup carriers and service levels that may be less prone to delays.
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Be prepared to accommodate customers. Have a plan for providing excellent service if delays occur. Empower your customer service team to issue refunds, discounts, or other perks to affected shoppers.
For Online Shoppers
As a consumer, you can also take steps to avoid or manage shipping delays due to bad weather:
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Stock up on essentials in advance. If a big storm is in the forecast, make sure you have enough crucial supplies like medications, food, and household goods to last a few days without deliveries.
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Pay bills and place orders early. If you know rough weather is on the way, don‘t procrastinate on important purchases or payments. Give yourself a buffer of a few extra days.
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Choose in-store pickup. If you need an item quickly and can safely travel to a nearby store location, see if the retailer offers a buy-online-pickup-in-store option to avoid shipping delays.
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Be patient and kind. Remember that frontline retail and delivery workers are doing their best in difficult conditions. A little empathy goes a long way!
The Bottom Line
The USPS, along with other major shipping carriers, is well-equipped to handle most adverse weather conditions. Thanks to strong inclement weather policies, dedicated employees, and technological tools, the mail keeps moving rain or shine the vast majority of the time.
However, it‘s important for both businesses and consumers to understand that there are limits to what is possible or safe when Mother Nature strikes with her full fury. In the most extreme cases, even the most experienced and committed mail carriers may need to delay or temporarily suspend service for the safety of employees and the public.
By staying informed, communicating transparently, and having contingency plans in place, retailers and shoppers can ride out the storm together. A little preparation and understanding on both sides is key to weathering shipping delays with minimal stress.
The USPS creed may proclaim that "neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night" will stop the mail from getting through – but a downed tree blocking the road or a a literal raging fire might have something to say about that. In those cases, your friendly local mail carrier definitely deserves a snow day.
