Winter Storm Fern
Operational Update
Updated February 2, 2026 at 3:30PM CST
Operations at Mayo Clinic Laboratories have returned to normal, including regular shipping pathways. Questions can be directed to Customer Services at 800-533-1710.
Updated January 29, 2026 at 1PM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the recovery from Winter Storm Fern
Domestic Clients
Operations are returning to normal, and we are slowly reintroducing our regular shipping pathways. Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. As samples arrive, we are evaluating them for viability and test cancellations may occur.
Clients who ship on your own may resume normal shipping pathways.
Some regions may still be in recovery mode and couriers may face delays. Some adjustments could occur due to alternative transportation plans, flight cancellations or delays.
Although Winter Storm Fern has passed, we are monitoring for potential impact this weekend due to Winter Storm Gianna in the southeast of the United States.
Updates will be posted to mayocliniclabs.com. If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
International Clients
Operations are stabilizing and returning to normal.
Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South America, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can continue shipping as normal. For all others, we recommend holding specimens over the weekend and resuming shipping on Monday, Feb. 2.
Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. As samples arrive, we are evaluating them for viability and test cancellations may occur.
Updates will be posted to mayocliniclabs.com. If you have questions, please email RSTMMLTRANSINTL@mayo.edu or your regional service representative.
Updated January 28, 2026 at 1PM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the lingering effects of the winter storm.
Domestic Clients
Mayo Clinic Laboratories will be resuming pathology returns and IHC tech-only slides today. We anticipate that most pickups will happen through Saturday, Jan. 31, and we will notify you if your route is canceled.
Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. When samples arrive, we will be evaluating them for viability and test cancellations may occur.
Clients who ship on your own: We recommend continuing to hold your specimens until major carriers' operations stabilize.
Some areas of the United States are still recovering from the storm, and couriers may face delays. Also, some adjustments may occur due to alternative transportation plans, flight cancellations or delays.
Updates will be posted to mayocliniclabs.com. If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
International Clients
Mayo Clinic Laboratories will be resuming pathology returns and IHC tech-only slides today.
Latin America, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South America, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can continue shipping as normal. For all others, we do not recommend shipping specimens via FedEx, UPS, or DHL until Friday, Jan. 30.
Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. Test cancellations may occur as orders and specimens will be evaluated upon receipt.
Updates will be posted to mayocliniclabs.com. If you have questions, please email RSTMMLTRANSINTL@mayo.edu or your regional service representative.
Updated January 27, 2026 at 4:30PM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the lingering effects of the winter storm.
Domestic Clients
We anticipate that most pickups will happen through Saturday, Jan. 31, and we will notify you if your route is canceled. Some areas of the United States are still recovering from the storm, and couriers may face delays. Also, some adjustments may occur due to alternative transportation plans, flight cancellations and delays.
When samples arrive, we will be evaluating them for viability and test cancellations may occur.
Clients who ship on your own: We recommend continuing to hold your specimens until major carriers' operations stabilize.
If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
International Clients
Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. Test cancellations may occur as orders and specimens will be evaluated upon receipt.
Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia can continue shipping as normal. For all others, we do not recommend shipping specimens via FedEx, UPS, and DHL until Friday, Jan. 30.
If you have questions, please email RSTMMLTRANSINTL@mayo.edu or your regional service representative.
Updated January 26, 2026 at 11:30AM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the impacts of the winter storm.
Domestic clients
We will notify you if your route is canceled on Tuesday, Jan. 27. If you do not receive a notification, your route is expected to run. However, couriers may face delays while traveling in inclement weather or some minor adjustments may occur due to flight cancellations and delays.
Some areas of the United States are still seeing significant storm impacts. Major carriers continue to experience severe service disruptions.
Clients who ship on your own: We recommend continuing to hold your specimens until major carriers' operations stabilize.
Domestic clients: If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
International clients
Any specimens shipped during the latter part of last week may still be in transit. Test cancellations may occur as orders and specimens will be evaluated upon receipt.
- One-day transit: Currently, we do not recommend shipping specimens via FedEx and UPS.
- Two- and three-day shipping: Proceed with caution due to potential backlog.
Mayo Clinic Laboratories will continue to monitor and reassess the situation as needed. We will provide updates as needed. Updates will also be posted on this website.
International clients: If you have questions, please email RSTMMLTRANSINTL@mayo.edu or your regional service representative.
Updated January 25, 2026 at 12:30PM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the impacts of the winter storm. Domestic clients: we will notify you if your route is canceled for Monday, Jan. 26. If you do not receive a notification, your route is expected to run. However, couriers may face delays while traveling in inclement weather or some minor adjustments may occur due to flight adjustments.
Some areas of the United States, including the Northeast, are still seeing significant storm impacts. Major carriers continue to experience severe service disruptions.
Clients who ship on your own: We recommend continuing to hold your specimens until major carriers' operations stabilize.
We are reviewing conditions daily and will share updates as needed. Updates will also be posted on this webpage.
Updated January 24, 2026 at 10AM CST
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the impacts of the winter storm. Clients will be contacted directly if there are new modifications or cancelations to their routes. Please see the Jan. 23 update below for additional details. We are reassessing the situation daily and will provide updates as needed. Updates will also be posted on this webpage.
Updated January 23, 2026 at 11:30AM CST
Winter Storm Fern, a major winter weather event, is moving through a majority of the United States, severely affecting shipping and transportation options. The Global Logistics team recommends the following based on our current information.
Domestic clients
- In the best interest of patient care, our recommendation is to hold specimens at your facility until Monday, Jan. 26.
- Clients with courier pickups: You will be notified if your route is cancelled or if other options are available.
- Clients that ship on their own: Please hold all your specimens until at least Monday, Jan. 26, at which time we will reassess the situation.
- If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
International clients
- Based on the current information, we recommend you hold your shipments to Mayo Clinic Laboratories that would be received through Thursday, Jan. 29.
- Due to commercial shipping restrictions, Category A samples cannot be shipped.
- If you have questions, please email RSTMMLTRANSINTL@mayo.edu or your regional service representative.
Mayo Clinic Laboratories will continue to monitor and reassess the situation daily and will provide updates as needed. Additionally, updates will be posted on this webpage.
Updated January 22, 2026 at 10AM CST
For IHC stain only testing, slides will be held at Mayo Clinic Laboratories starting Friday, Jan. 23 and returned Monday, Jan. 26 to prevent transit-related issues.
Updated January 21, 2026 at 10AM CST
Winter Storm Fern, a major winter weather event, is moving through a large portion of the United States, potentially impacting the FedEx hub in Memphis, TN. Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ Global Logistics team is working to move shipments from FedEx to other commercial shipping options.
We understand that alternate commercial shipping options are not available in all markets. In the event we are unable to transport these samples, we will ask that you hold your samples at your location. You will be contacted directly if there are modifications or cancelations to your specific route.
Due to commercial shipping restrictions, Category A samples cannot be shipped.
Mayo Clinic Laboratories continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed. If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 800-533-1710 and ask to be forwarded to the Global Logistics Specialist.
