SEVERE-WEATHER SETUP THREATENS TEXAS FREIGHT CORRIDORS AHEAD OF THANKSGIVING
Heavy rain and strong storms Sunday–Tuesday could dump 4+ inches across parts of Texas, with the I‑35, I‑20 and I‑45 corridors facing flooding and hail risks that may slow truck traffic and last‑mile deliveries.
SAN ANTONIO, DFW IN CROSSHAIRS FOR HEAVY RAIN; FLOOD RISK COULD DISRUPT I‑35 FREIGHT FLOWS
A new system moving in Sunday night brings 1–3 inches of rain (locally 5″) from Abilene to Texarkana, with severe storms possible east of I‑35 Monday—plan for delays and detours on major trucking routes.
HOUSTON FORECAST: FAIR SUNDAY BEFORE NEXT STORM SYSTEM ARRIVES MONDAY
Calmer conditions Sunday give way to a cold front Monday that brings scattered storms to Southeast Texas—expect tighter delivery windows and slower drayage near the Ship Channel during downpours.
CROSS‑COUNTRY STORM MAY SNARL THANKSGIVING WEEK TRAVEL AND FREIGHT MOVES
A coast‑to‑coast system is poised to disrupt ground and air networks early this week, raising the odds of highway slowdowns and cargo rebookings just as holiday e‑commerce volumes surge.
MIDWEST WINTER BLAST TUESDAY COULD HIT I‑29/I‑35/I‑94 CORRIDORS WITH SNOW AND WIND
Forecasts point to 3–8 inches of snow and 50‑mph gusts in parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota Tuesday, complicating linehaul schedules and intermodal transfers across the Upper Midwest.
FORECASTERS FLAG SUNDAY–WEDNESDAY DELAYS FROM SOUTHWEST TO PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND GREAT LAKES
Heavy rain in the Southwest and an unsettled Pacific Northwest pattern could ripple into freight timing, while lake‑effect snow and breezy Great Lakes conditions threaten last‑mile reliability mid‑week.
Forecasters warn of lingering winds near EWR and lake‑effect snow in the northern Great Lakes Thursday, with potential localized slowdowns on I‑90/I‑81 and time‑definite parcel networks.
FAA: HOLIDAY TRAVEL TO BE BUSIEST IN 15 YEARS; 82M EXPECTED ON THE MOVE
With 360,000+ flights scheduled and two storm systems in play, carriers and shippers should brace for spillover congestion from airports to highways and build extra dwell into pickup/delivery appointments.
Meteorologists expect the worst travel impacts Nov. 25–26, with thunderstorms in the Southeast and rain/wind farther north—truckload planners should stage assets and flex hours to protect service.
ATA TONNAGE FELL 2.1% IN OCTOBER AS FREIGHT RECESSION LINGERS INTO PEAK SEASON
The for‑hire tonnage index slid to its lowest level since early 2025, underscoring soft demand heading into the holidays and keeping pressure on carrier margins and capital plans.
CARRIERS SEE MUTED HOLIDAY BUMP; FLEX NETWORKS, ADD CAPACITY WHERE NEEDED
DHL, FedEx and truckload fleets expect volumes slightly below prior years with spend still over $1T; shippers front‑loaded inventory while carriers prepare for late surges and uneven demand by lane.
UNION PACIFIC PUBLISHES THANKSGIVING OPERATING PLAN; INTERCHANGES OPEN, LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS POSSIBLE
UP says network operations will run as normal over the holiday, with case management open for critical switching—intermodal customers should review the holiday plan and coordinate cutoffs early.
SIGNS OF FREIGHT TURN? DATA SHOW CAPACITY EXITS, STEADIER SPEND AS 2026 OUTLOOK BRIGHTENS
Analysts cite fewer active carriers and rising shipper outlays despite lower shipment counts—an early indication that excess capacity is bleeding off and rate fundamentals may improve next year.
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