Winter Weather Impacting Operations

Announcement Number: CN2022-76
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: December 23, 2022

To Our Customers,

Extreme winter weather continues to impact significant portions of our network. Customers should anticipate extended delays on shipments in the affected areas until conditions improve and severe weather recovery efforts are complete.

Impact by Region

  • Pacific Northwest — Road and interstate closures are inhibiting us from transporting crews to operate trains. Engineering and track teams are working to address frozen switches and broken rails.
  • Midwest — The region continues to experience extreme cold, with temperatures as low as -40 impacting the network between Wyoming and the Great Lakes. These weather conditions are resulting in frozen switches and challenging yard and through-freight conditions.
  • South — Extreme temperatures are also affecting operations in the South, including southern Texas and Louisiana. Engineering and track teams are working to address frozen switches and broken rails.

Our 24-hour Weather Command Center is addressing service interruptions as quickly and safely as possible. We also have additional resources positioned to aid in the recovery as needed.

We ask that customers with rail-served facilities in the affected areas clear all walkways and switches of snow and ice prior to crew arrival. To get more winter weather preparedness tips, visit the Winter Weather Action Plan for Rail Shippers page. This page includes a printable checklist of steps to take to ensure your facility stays safe and is prepared for service during the winter months.

If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care & Support at 800-272-8777 or your Union Pacific representative.