Monitoring Three Severe Storms

Announcement Number: CN2023-10
Categories: General Announcements
Posted Date: February 20, 2023

To Our Customers,

Three severe storm systems have the potential to impact our network this week. We have positioned resources in these areas to address any potential disruptions as quickly and safely as possible. Customers with shipments moving through the impacted states should anticipate delays between 24 to 48 hours.

Northern Region
A significant winter storm is forecast to bring widespread cold temperatures, heavy snow and high winds across much of our network. Snowfall will begin in Washington’s Cascade Mountain region late this afternoon and move into Oregon, California, Nevada and Utah by this evening, with accumulations expected to total 12-24 inches. Snow will continue into Colorado and Wyoming Tuesday morning and into Nebraska Tuesday evening. By Wednesday, blizzard conditions are forecast to develop throughout portions of Wyoming and Nebraska. Snow and ice with potential blizzard conditions will also continue to move into northern Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin with snow accumulations of 12-18 inches possible.

For customers with rail-served facilities located in the affected area, please continue to clear all walkways and switches of snow and ice prior to the crew arriving. To get more tips for maintaining safe operations during winter storms, visit the Winter Weather Action Plan for Rail Shippers.

Southern Region
On Wednesday and Thursday, a separate storm is forecast to bring heavy rain, isolated tornadoes, wind gusts of up to 75 mph, and possible local flooding in eastern Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas.

California
By Thursday, a third powerful storm will produce widespread heavy rain and snow in California, including passes in Southern California that do not typically see snow. Snow accumulations are expected in the higher elevations throughout most of the state with 12-24 inches across Northern California’s Sierra Nevada range. Rain totals of 1-2 inches and potential for flash flooding is projected for most of the coastal and lower elevations. Heavier rains totaling 2-4 inches and potential flooding are expected throughout the Los Angeles basin.

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