Friday is Valentine’s Day, the annual Festival of Pink and Red Dead Plants and Sometimes Chocolate. This year, the timing of the holiday poses a special challenge to florists and other gift-deliverers: The 14th falls on a Friday, and the next business day is a federal holiday when many workplaces close. That’s tricky enough, but what about the blast of ice and snow currently threatening much of the country?

We’ve already established that no Consumerist readers are going to have flower-delivery complaints due to choosing a wire service instead of the finest local florist they can find. None of us controls the weather, though. (If you do, our Mid-Atlantic-based staff would like to chat with you.)

With the holiday falling on a Friday, there will probably be fewer flowers to deliver: people don’t want to take the chance that the delivery will be late, leaving the blooms behind in an empty office all weekend. Florists are hiring extra drivers, though. Drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles, the Boston Business Journal tells us. At least in New England.

We’re still happy to listen to your stories of floral horror. Just remember that the weather and the timing of the holiday pose special challenges to florists. If there’s no bouquet on your desk for your co-workers to fuss over, don’t be mad at your significant other. Save your anger for the atmospheric conditions.

Most importantly, if you were depending on a flower delivery for your Valentine’s Day celebration, make a backup plan.

Florists prep for pre-Valentine’s storm [Boston Business Journal]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.