The U.S. is seeing severe winter weather this week, thanks to a dynamic weather system moving across the middle of the country and heading eastward.
The system has already brought frigid temperatures 25-35 degrees below normal across the Northern Plains, up to 5-10″ of snow in portions of the Dakotas, and an additional 4-8″ expected across southern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
And that’s just the beginning. Starting Wednesday morning, a secondary storm system will bring a risk for freezing rain, sleet, and additional snowfall from northern Texas through eastern Oklahoma and into the western Ozarks. By late Thursday, this storm system will move northeastward and take its wintry precipitation into the eastern Midwest/Great Lakes as it moves toward the Northeast. The Northeast could then see significant snowfall late Thursday through late Friday with the potential for freezing rain and ice pellets in areas like Pennsylvania.
From the extended frigid temperatures to snowfall and freezing rain, these conditions present a variety of challenges for businesses across the central and eastern U.S. Here’s what your industry needs to know about associate risks and potential actions to mitigate weather-related threats:
Energy & Utilities
The Risks
- Power outages from surge in demand
- Reduced power generation capacity
- Disrupted fuel procurement
Actions to Consider
- Increase reserves to meet demand
- Alert residential customers to prepare for potential outages
- Secure physical assets
Learn more about other ways to mitigate energy & utilities-specific risks >
Logistics
The Risks
- Damaged freight (perishables, chemicals, paints, etc.)
- Reduced production of goods and products
- Power interruptions causing equipment failure
- Interrupted supply paths
Actions to Consider
- Advise drivers to reduce speed on icy roads
- Lower shipping containers
- Alert key suppliers, manufacturing locations, ports, and supply paths about unfavorable conditions overall
Learn more about other ways to mitigate logistics-specific risks >
Aviation
The Risks
- Increased costs for snow and ice removal
- Increased chance of ice and frost impacting OTP
- Increased chance of on-the-job injuries
Actions to Consider
- Proactively manage flights in affected areas
- Cancel non-essential journeys
- Increase staff in advance of deicing and snow removal needs
Learn more about other ways to mitigate aviation-specific risks >
On-Demand
The Risks
- Increase in vehicle accidents
- Lack of staff to meet surge in demand
- Reduced customer satisfaction from delays and cancellations
Actions to Consider
- Alert drivers to ensure safer routes
- Incentivize staff to drive in advance of demand surge
- Cancel fleet deployment during peak of storm
Learn more about other ways to mitigate on-demand-specific risks >
Sports & Entertainment
The Risks
- Increased occurrence of athlete injury
- Negative fan experience
- Missed retail and merchandising opportunities
Actions to Consider
- Delay games and events in path of storm
- Salt sidewalks and parking lots
- Alert ticket holders of conditions for transportation to and from venue
Learn more about other ways to mitigate sports-specific risks >
Learn How Weather-Related Risk is Impacting Your Business
