Will UPS deliver in bad weather? (snow, rain + more)
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UPS handles nearly 16 million packages a day, and UPS handles many different types of weather considering that weather can change dramatically with time and location.
So, does UPS deliver in bad weather like snow and rain, and if so, what do you need to know? If you’re wondering, keep reading this post and see what I’ve found!
Will UPS deliver during severe weather in 2022?
UPS will provide service in most severe weather conditions as long as the weather conditions do not pose a risk to driver safety. This means UPS will deliver in rain or snow, but not in hurricanes, snow storms or extreme icy conditions. Please note that UPS does not provide refunds for weather-related delays in 2022.
If you live or are sending packages to areas with variable climates, or just want to better understand how the weather can affect your next UPS package, read on for more facts!
Will UPS deliver when it’s raining?
Given the high volume of deliveries and varied geographic locations served by UPS, it is not in the company’s best business interests to stop all deliveries every time it rains.
So UPS does deliver in the rain.
UPS takes several steps to ensure packages remain protected even when they are delivered in severe weather such as rain.
Typically, this involves wrapping the package in a plastic bag and placing it in a covered area, such as a porch or under patio furniture.
It’s important to note that while UPS may deliver on most rainy days, in some cases rain can cause same-day deliveries to stop.
Some situations involving rain can cause delivery delays:
- hurricane
- tornado
- typhoon
- tropical storm
- flash flood
- extreme thunderstorm
If you are concerned that rain in your area may cause some kind of weather-related package delay, you can check the Service Alerts page of the UPS website here.
You can also view your tracking information on the UPS website.
Will UPS deliver when it snows?
Snow is another common form of precipitation, so UPS will also provide service when it snows in the area.
Another way UPS handles snow and rain conditions similarly is the way UPS delivers packages.
Just like rain, snow can mean wet conditions and the possibility of damaged packaging.
As a result, UPS drivers take many of the same precautions for packages delivered in snow, including placing them in a covered area and wrapping them in plastic bags.
Small doses of snow, or where a certain amount of snow is to be handled, usually won’t be the cause of any package delays.
However, having said that, snow can be a symptom of many extreme weather conditions, which can lead to weather-related package delays.
Some of the situations where snow conditions can affect delivery times are:
- snowstorm
- extremely icy road
- Heavy snowfall (varies by geographic area)
- hail storm
- albino
- winter storm
- snowstorm
Does UPS refund WeatherHer delay?
Unfortunately, UPS does not issue refunds for delays caused by inclement weather.
That’s because UPS’s refund policy revolves around the idea that it will pay refunds for conditions under the company’s control that don’t meet the standards it’s trying to maintain.
For example, let’s say a UPS driver leaves a package on someone’s uncovered porch when it’s raining and doesn’t use the provided plastic bag to wrap the package.
If the package is wet and damaged, and the customer makes a claim, a refund may be issued because the damage is avoidable.
On the other hand, let’s say a package was supposed to be delivered to an address in Austin, Texas on Monday, but the arrival time was quick and Austin’s roads were covered in ice.
Customers may check their tracking information and see a notification that their package has been delayed until Wednesday.
The customer may want to file a claim and ask for a refund, but since the weather is out of UPS’s control, no refund will be issued.
However, if you believe your package is delayed or damaged to be eligible for a refund, be sure to file a claim with UPS, which you can do by visiting this page of their website.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on UPS vs. FedEx, UPS delivering to the wrong address, and whether UPS delivers at night.
in conclusion
UPS does deliver in inclement weather, such as rain or snow conditions. However, if the rain or snow is part of a larger severe weather storm, such as a blizzard or hurricane, UPS deliveries in the area will stop.
You can use the UPS Service Alerts page to see if there are any active severe weather system warnings or to check the status of your package.
