BNSF Responds to Ongoing Winter Weather Challenges in the North

Operating conditions have remained extremely challenging this week in significant portions of BNSF's Northern Corridor, leading to service disruptions in some areas. Harsh winter weather conditions, including frigid, record-breaking temperatures and wind chills, have persisted across various locations across our northern lines over the past few weeks. The recent outbreak of Arctic air has resulted in extreme weather events, with temperatures dropping as low as 45 degrees below zero in Antelope Creek, North Dakota (west of Bismarck), on Tuesday and setting new record lows in Kansas City, Missouri (-10 degrees) and Great Falls, Montana (-29 degrees).

The extreme and prolonged low temperatures have caused disruptions in train operations, with multiple trains being stopped due to broken rails and airflow issues affecting the braking systems, despite efforts such as length restrictions and distributed locomotive power. We are rerouting traffic and adding locomotives where possible and will continue adding and repositioning additional power and other resources as necessary. We've also experienced reduced productivity at terminals in the region due to multiple switch and airflow issues across rail yards. Despite the adverse conditions, operating teams have been working diligently during the warmer daylight hours to address the backlog of trains waiting for power; with slightly warmer weather over the past 12 hours, they've made some progress in reducing trains holding for power. Our command centers will continue to operate around the clock to coordinate response efforts and efficiently manage the deployment of resources to affected areas.

Temperatures will continue to rise through the weekend. Current forecast models indicate no outbreak of Arctic cold next week as temperatures reach closer to relatively normal levels and above for this time of year. With more favorable operating conditions, we expect to gradually improve service performance, including greater throughput through yards and facilities in the impacted regions. While clearing backlogs will take some time, our operating teams will continue working aggressively to restore service as quickly as possible. We will also be monitoring the impacted areas for floods and avalanches as warmer weather conditions return.

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