Severe Weather: The 5 Worst Lanes This Week

January 10, 2024

Due to severe weather conditions, this lane is one of the riskiest this week. Image Source: WeatherOptics/LinkedIn

This week, the United States is experiencing powerful storms affecting major trucking lanes, causing significant freight disruptions and danger.

WeatherOptics CEO Scott Pecoriello highlights the severity of these conditions on trucking lanes, backed with data from the program quantifying shipment delays and driver risk. (Shipment delay: % shipment delay from normal due to weather & Driver risk: 0-10 scale of road danger).

Top 5 Worst Lanes: Chicago appears in 4 of the 5 most impacted lanes, with extreme risks involving severe thunderstorms, blizzard conditions, and high winds.

1. Chicago, IL ⇄ Memphis, TN

  • Maximum Shipment Delay: 66%

  • Maximum Driver Risk: 10.0

 2. Chicago, IL ⇄ Cleveland, OH

  • Maximum Shipment Delay: 66%

  • Maximum Driver Risk: 9.8

3. Buffalo, NY ⇄ Boston, MA

  • Maximum Shipment Delay: 62%

  • Maximum Driver Risk: 9.3

4. Denver, CO ⇄ Chicago, IL

  • Maximum Shipment Delay: 67%

  • Maximum Driver Risk: 8.7

 5. Minneapolis, MN ⇄ Chicago, IL

  • Maximum Shipment Delay: 67%

  • Maximum Driver Risk: 7.7

Widespread Weather Impact Across RegionsThe storms have brought a variety of severe conditions across different U.S. regions:

 Okay , I’m convinced that Florida is a real life GTA server… these mfuckers got Aliens & Tornadoes pic.twitter.com/vW9QqFM03E— . (@whatshisphace) January 7, 2024 

  • South and Southeast: Tornadoes have caused significant damage and fatalities, with reports of winds up to 106 mph.

  • Midwest: Blizzard conditions shut down major highways, with over 100 vehicle crashes in Kansas alone.

  • Northeast: Heavy rainfall and flooding are anticipated, posing risks of urban and creek flooding.

 🚨NEW VIDEO🚨: #Blizzard conditions hit #Kansas today, forcing the shutdown of major area highways such as Interstate 70 seen here. #KSwx

Credit: @TrooperTodKHP via Storyful pic.twitter.com/uYebHSzh6w— WeatherBug (@WeatherBug) January 8, 2024 

Additional Weather ChallengesIn the Pacific Northwest, heavy snowfall has triggered blizzard warnings, with expected snowfall totals between 24-48 inches in the Oregon and Washington Cascades. The Midwest is also grappling with heavy snow, causing widespread road closures and school cancellations.

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