Let it snow

Whether you’re an experienced pilot or just starting out, understanding how to cope with this key component of winter weather is essential for safety and for more flying during the winter. Here are some tips for flying in snowy weather.

Preparation

Checking the weather is, of course, key, before you take off. Where there is snow, there can be freezing rain or drizzle, leading to icing, which is the riskiest part of flying in snow. When the temperature hovers around freezing, this is the most dangerous time and when icing is most likely, even if it appears that solid snowflakes, not liquid rain, are falling. Very cold and dry conditions offer little threat, but still require your vigilance in case conditions change. Any amount of icing should be considered serious—even seemingly minimal ice can dramatically (and dangerously) reduce lift.

On the ground 

A much more likely scenario than flying in thick snow is operating with snow on the ground, which also presents challenges.

Snow can obscure taxi signs and runway markings, increasing the likelihood of a runway incursion or even a departure from the taxiway or runway due to snow-related disorientation. Taxi more slowly than normal, use your tools to keep your situational awareness, and ask for a progressive taxi if you’re at a towered field and find yourself confused.

In very snowy places, priority on clearing snow and ice will often be granted to the runway, and the taxiways may be icy. With too much power on ice, the airplane may start drifting (and not in a fun Fast and Furious way), so pay close attention to power additions and where you stop to do your runup.

While many larger airports clear snow from the runway, some do not—either because of a lack of resources or such persistent snowfall that complete removal is impractical. Snow on the runway will reduce your friction, impacting braking action and landing distance. Plan accordingly and save those shorter fields for another time.

In the air 

Once you’re in the air, as we’ve already discussed, icing remains a concern whether VFR under snow-filled clouds or IFR within them. Have an escape plan if, despite your planning, you do encounter ice. Changes in altitude will mean changes in temperature, and colder (higher) can sometimes be the best option. Minutes matter with icing, so always have a diversion in mind and act immediately if icing does appear.

Another concern with snow-covered terrain is that it can create flat lighting, leading to disorientation resulting from a lack of depth perception, not unlike flying over water at night. Keep a close eye on your altitude and instruments to keep your orientation.

Hopefully this makes flying in winter more approachable and highlights some concerns of snowy weather flying. Enjoy the season, and if you can’t stand the cold, know that spring again will soon bloom.

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