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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, also known as SEA Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the country, averaging 1,200-1,300 flights per day. As a result, even minor inclement weather can significantly affect flight operations. The airport has a comprehensive plan in place to manage snow and ice, including a 99-person snow team, over 50 pieces of equipment for snow and ice maintenance, and 62,000-75,000 gallons of de-icing fluid. Despite these preparations, severe weather can cause flight cancellations and delays, as seen in an incident where over 100 flights were cancelled and another 100 delayed due to snow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Snow removal equipment | 17 plow and broom combination units, 9 tractor-trailer units with 24-foot plows, 8 fixed-chassis units with 20-foot plows, 2 friction testers, 4 de-icing trucks |
| De-icing fluid | 62,000-75,000 gallons stored on-site, with additional supplies ordered as needed |
| De-icing fluid type | Biodegradable potassium acetate (liquid), sodium acetate (solid) |
| De-icing fluid usage | Applied to runways, taxiways, and ramp areas to prevent ice from bonding to concrete |
| Snow alerts | Snow Watch, Snow Warning, Snow Advisory, Snow Alert |
| Snow team | 99 people, including 74 trained in snow removal and 25 mechanics |
| Average snow removal budget | 4,000 hours |
| Average yearly snowfall | 6 inches, with the highest in recent years being 21 inches in 2018-19 |
| Impact on flights | Cancellations, delays, and ground stops or delays may occur due to snow |
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What You'll Learn
Snow removal and de-icing procedures
The SEA is one of the busiest airports in the country, averaging 1,200-1,300 flights per day. As a result, even a little bit of bad weather can have a significant impact on flight operations. The airport team works year-round and around the clock to prepare for, respond to, and communicate about inclement weather, be it rain, snow, sleet, smoke, or fog.
Before the winter weather sets in, the airport opens the Snow Control Center (SCC), a central management facility for all airport snow and ice control activities. The SCC assists in facilitating increased communications and decision-making processes associated with larger snow and ice events. The snow team consists of 99 people, including 74 members trained in snow removal and 25 mechanics who ensure the equipment is functioning.
The snow team begins preparing months in advance, checking equipment, stocking supplies like sand and de-icer fluid, and practising with the equipment. The airport has access to weather information through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service 24 hours a day, all year round.
The airport is responsible for snow and ice maintenance of runways, taxiways, and ramp areas (around gates and cargo areas). They also clear the terminal area, parking garage, Starling Road, Air Cargo Road to the Employee Parking Lot, and the Airport Expressway. During heavy snowfall, the Port of Seattle hires local contractors for additional snow removal.
De-icing occurs before snowfall when temperatures reach 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit. Biodegradable potassium acetate is used as a liquid runway de-icer, while sodium acetate, a solid runway de-icer, is used at lower temperatures. The de-icing fluid prevents ice from bonding to the concrete. The runways have embedded temperature monitors that allow staff to apply the fluid when needed and conserve supplies.
Snow removal on the runways is done with multiple snow plows stretched out at an angle, with snow brooms following. It takes about 30 minutes to plow one runway. The airport has various equipment for snow and ice maintenance, including plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units with plows, fixed-chassis units with plows, friction testers, and de-icing trucks.
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Snow Watch and Warning systems
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or SEA Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the country, averaging 1,200-1,300 flights per day. As a result, even minor inclement weather can significantly impact flight operations. To mitigate this, the airport has implemented a comprehensive snow and ice management strategy, including a Snow Watch and Warning system.
The Snow Control Center (SCC) is the central management operation for all airport snow and ice control activities. It is responsible for facilitating communication and quick decision-making during significant snow and ice events. The SCC is typically opened before the onset of winter weather, and its staff includes members of the Port and SEA teams trained in snow removal and mechanics who ensure that the equipment is operational.
The Airport Duty Manager declares a Snow Watch approximately 24 hours before the anticipated start of snow or icing conditions or when the snow level in the greater Seattle area is between 600 and 1000 feet. A Snow Warning is declared under the same conditions, except the snow level is expected to be below 600 feet. An upgrade to a warning indicates a higher likelihood of the event occurring and a potential threat to life, property, and travel.
In addition to the Snow Watch and Warning, there are also Snow Advisory and Snow Alert protocols. A Snow Advisory is declared by the Airport Operations Manager approximately eight hours before a minor snow or ice event or when freezing rain/drizzle is expected. On the other hand, a Snow Alert is declared at any time if the forecasted accumulation of snow exceeds three inches in a 24-hour period or if there is a freezing rain warning.
The airport also has an extensive de-icing and snow removal process. De-icing occurs before snowfall when temperatures reach 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit, using biodegradable potassium acetate or sodium acetate at lower temperatures. The airport has embedded temperature monitors in the runways to optimize de-icing fluid application. Snow removal is conducted using various plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units with plows, and fixed-chassis units.
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Snow Control Center operations
The Snow Control Center (SCC) is a central management operation for all airport snow and ice control activities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The SCC assists in facilitating increased communications and decision-making processes associated with larger snow and ice events. The Snow Control Center opens before the winter weather begins, and its operations are as follows:
- The SCC is composed of 99 people, including 74 members of the Port and SEA teams trained in snow removal and 25 mechanics who ensure the equipment is functional.
- The team prepares for the winter by checking equipment, stocking up on supplies like sand and de-icer fluid in the snow shed, and practicing with the equipment.
- The airport has more than 50 pieces of equipment for snow and ice maintenance, including plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units with plows, fixed-chassis units with plows, friction testers, and de-icing trucks.
- De-icing occurs before snowfall when temperatures reach 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit. The airport uses biodegradable potassium acetate as a liquid runway de-icer, and sodium acetate as a solid runway de-icer at lower temperatures.
- The airport has embedded temperature monitors in the runways to apply de-icing fluid when necessary and conserve the supply.
- During heavy snowfalls, the airport hires local contractors for additional snow removal and snow pile collection.
- The airport maintains the terminal, airport facilities (like the parking garage), runways, and access between airport facilities.
- The airport clears the terminal area, parking garage, Starling Road, Air Cargo Road to the Employee Parking Lot, and the Airport Expressway just north of the return-to-terminal loop.
- The airport team works year-round to prepare for, respond to, and communicate about inclement weather, including snow, sleet, smoke, and fog.
- The airport budgets about 4,000 hours for snow removal each season and has seen an average of six inches of snow over the last ten seasons.
- The airport declares different alert levels depending on the forecasted snow conditions, including a Snow Watch, Snow Warning, Snow Advisory, and Snow Alert. These alerts are declared by the Airport Duty Manager or the Senior Manager of Airport Operations, depending on the snow level and intensity.
- After a snow event, Snow Demobilization is declared, and the SCC reduces to a modified staffing level while ramp cleanup continues until operations return to normal.
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Flight cancellations and delays
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or SEA Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the country, averaging 1,200-1,300 flights per day. As a result, even a little bit of bad weather can have a significant impact on flight operations.
In preparation for winter weather, the airport opens the Snow Control Center, which is responsible for all airport snow and ice control activities. The snow team, consisting of trained staff and mechanics, works around the clock to ensure that the airport is prepared for any inclement weather, including rain, snow, sleet, smoke, or fog. The team has various equipment for snow and ice maintenance, such as plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units with plows, fixed-chassis units with plows, friction testers, and de-icing trucks.
During heavy snowfalls, the airport hires local contractors for additional snow removal, and two contractors to remove and collect snow piles. De-icing occurs before snowfall when temperatures reach 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit, using biodegradable potassium acetate as a liquid runway de-icer, and sodium acetate as a solid runway de-icer at lower temperatures. The airport has embedded temperature monitors in the runways to ensure that de-icing fluid is only applied when necessary.
In the event of significant winter weather, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may issue a ground delay or ground stop to ensure safety. This can result in flight cancellations and delays, as seen in an incident where over 100 flights were canceled, and another 100 were delayed due to snow. The FAA also has the authority to restrict US airspace and slow down arriving or departing flights if needed. Ultimately, the airlines and pilots make the final decision about whether flights can operate based on the weather conditions.
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Staffing and accommodation plans
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or SEA Airport, is responsible for snow and ice maintenance of runways, taxiways, and ramp areas. The airport also clears the terminal area, parking garage, and nearby roads. During heavy snowfall, the airport hires contractors for additional snow removal.
To prepare for snow and ice, the airport opens the Snow Control Center (SCC), a central management operation for all snow and ice control activities. The SCC is composed of 99 people, including 74 members of the Port and SEA teams trained in snow removal and 25 mechanics. The snow team prepares for the winter by checking equipment, stocking up on supplies, and practicing with the equipment. Every November, all members of the snow team go through recurrent training, and the maintenance staff practices mock snow removal exercises on the airfield. The airport has more than 50 pieces of equipment for snow and ice maintenance, including plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units with plows, and fixed-chassis units with plows.
De-icing occurs before snowfall when temperatures reach 33-34 degrees Fahrenheit. The airport uses biodegradable potassium acetate as a liquid runway de-icer and sodium acetate as a solid runway de-icer at lower temperatures. On-site tanks store between 62,000 and 75,000 gallons of de-icing fluid, and supplies are restocked to maintain acceptable stock levels. The runways have embedded temperature monitors to help staff apply de-icing fluid when necessary and conserve supply.
In the event of a significant weather event, the airport may experience reduced operating hours for airline ticket counters, TSA checkpoints, and restaurants due to limited supplies and staffing. There are plans for essential airport staff to stay near the airport at hotels or in conference rooms. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can restrict U.S. airspace and slow down or stop flights during severe weather. Airlines and pilots make the final decision about whether flights can operate based on weather conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport has a Snow Control Center, which is a central management operation for all snow and ice control activities. The snow team, made up of 99 people, prepares for snow by checking equipment, stocking up on supplies, and practicing with the equipment. The airport also has more than 50 pieces of equipment for snow and ice maintenance, including plow and broom combination units, tractor-trailer units, and fixed-chassis units.
Snow can impact the airport by causing flight delays and cancellations. For example, during a snow event, there might be reduced operating hours for airline ticket counters, TSA checkpoints, and restaurants due to limited supplies and staffing. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may issue ground delays or ground stops, impacting plane traffic in and out of the airport.
A ground stop is when aircraft cannot come to the airport due to snow, fog, or other conditions, and they are held at another airport.
The airport uses de-icing fluid, such as biodegradable potassium acetate, to prevent ice from bonding to the concrete. They also use snow plows and snow brooms to remove snow from the runways.
Approximately 24 hours before the forecasted start of snow or icing conditions, or when the snow level in the greater Seattle area is between 600 and 1000 feet, the Airport Duty Manager may declare a Snow Watch. If the snow level is expected to be below 600 feet, a Snow Warning may be declared.
