Analysis by Alan Apthorp

Temperatures in the middle of the U.S. have reached zero and sub-zero temperatures this week, with especially severe weather in the Northern Plains. Wind chill in the North is pushing temperatures to the -20 to -40 range. Several states have received snow and are experiencing high winds, shutting down travel.

While cold weather brings numerous operational difficulties, one easily overlooked concern is fuel quality. Many trucking companies are experiencing fuel gelling as temperatures drop, grinding their operations to a halt and preventing them from re-starting their trucks. The FUELSNews team and Mansfield’s Operations teams encourage you to take caution if your fleet operates in the Northern Plains.

Some states, such as Minnesota, have precautionary policies in place to ensure fuel is pre-treated. In other states, fleet managers are on their own to remedy any fuel gelling concerns. We encourage you to read our FN360 Q3 article on winter fuel gelling for further information on how you can prepare. To contact a Mansfield cold-weather specialist, please email arsenal@mansfieldoil.com.