If you’ve ever been into a freight broker’s office, you may have noticed that the Weather Channel is playing twenty-four hours a day. Bad weather can significantly impact a freight broker’s job and cause major disruptions to transportation and shipping. As an intermediary between a shipper and freight service provider, bad weather can cause delays and problems, which often results in unhappy customers. These are some of the top issues freight brokers experience when various weather conditions occur.

Rain

Light and heavy rain can both affect driving conditions, with heavy rainfall decreasing visibility. Safety is of paramount concern when rain occurs, as wheel spinning is far more likely to happen. During heavy rainfall, flooding and detours are more common, and driving conditions become more dangerous. During this time, freight brokers expect increased travel times and delayed delivery times.

Heavy Fog

Heavy fog reduces visibility on roads, which usually results in increased travel time. Traffic is much slower in fog and the risk of accidents increases.

Snow

In the winter months, snow can be one of the most frustrating issues for freight brokers. Snow often causes road closures and travel delays, resulting in delayed deliveries. Freight brokers are very familiar with the regions that often experience heavy snowfall and will keep their eyes on these areas during the winter months if they affect their business. Ports are also affected by snowfall, so freight brokers closely observe them for delayed arrival times. In these conditions, safety should always be the number one concern for drivers, and you’ll want to ensure you are notified about unexpected delays on the road.

Wind

High wind speeds are also of great concern to freight brokers, as these can make it incredibly difficult for drivers to control their trucks. Drivers are usually encouraged to wait until high winds of over 50 mph stop, before continuing with their journey.

Hurricanes

We often get a little more warning before a hurricane develops, so it’s important for freight brokers to plan for the potential damage accordingly. Drivers are diverted away from the danger zone, delaying deliveries until after the storm has passed. After the devastation in states and cities, these areas often need essential supplies immediately. Freight brokers are involved in the recovery process and assist with delivering critical medical, food, and water supplies to these regions.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes can suddenly hit cities, so ensure your drivers know the signs of these natural disasters. They shouldn’t remain on the road during this time, as they can be incredibly dangerous. As with any unexpected weather conditions, drivers need to keep in good communication during their journey, and you’ll need to rearrange delivery times.

As you can see, bad weather can cause havoc for freight brokers and make their busy job even more challenging. By keeping informed about current weather conditions, freight brokers can stay one step ahead and prepare for emergencies before they happen. This can minimize the risk to drivers and the damage to customer satisfaction. Good communication is key during bad weather and can reduce the impact of these conditions for freight brokers.

PFL’s brokers are always two-steps ahead of Mother Nature. Contact us today to work together!