A winter storm is forecast to affect large portions of the central and eastern United States from January 23–25, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice to more than 30 states. Weather conditions may impact highway travel, rail operations, and inland waterways, particularly along key transportation corridors in the Midwest, South, and East. As a result, some freight movements may experience delays, depending on local conditions and infrastructure impacts.
The storm’s projected path threatens critical infrastructure, including major interstate highways like I-20 and I-85, vital for automotive and pharmaceutical supply chains. Freezing rain and ice could lead to downed trees, power lines, and road closures, halting trucking operations and extending transit times by 24-48 hours or more. In the Midwest and South, ice on rivers like the Mississippi and Illinois may slow barge traffic, compounding delays for grain and bulk commodities already affected by earlier winter events. Rail lines, particularly BNSF’s routes in the Northwest and Midwest, face risks from flooding and snow, potentially disrupting intermodal freight flows to export terminals.
PSA BDP will continue to share additional updates as they become available.
