What factor can significantly affect a mail carrier’s delivery schedule?

Inclement weather can significantly impact a mail carrier’s delivery schedule due to various reasons. Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, ice, or storms, can create unsafe road conditions, leading to slower travel times or even route alterations for safety purposes. Additionally, severe weather may result in elevated workloads or delays in mail processing, as certain areas may not receive deliveries as timely due to disruptions in transportation and logistics. Maintaining safety while ensuring the timely delivery of mail is a primary concern, and thus inclement weather has a direct and marked effect on a carrier's ability to adhere to their schedule.

While local events, fuel prices, and mail volume can certainly influence a mail carrier's day, the immediate and sometimes unpredictable nature of inclement weather typically has a more direct impact on daily operations and safety considerations.