Tackling Winter Storms 2014

The snow removal plan and operation for Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is the focus of this article by the assistant director of operations for the airport. They use custom weather reports to enable scheduling of snow removal crews well in advance of shift changes, as well as decisions whether to use de-icing materials. Multi-purpose vehicles have been purchased, with combination plow and broom, resulting in reduced runway downtimes. The especially treacherous conditions from the winter of 2013-2014 required a change of the usual strategies, with snow accumulations of 1+ inch per hour and winds gusting up to 50 mph. Details of the specific actions that were taken are presented. Most important is the combination of preparation and training, resulting in a more efficient and productive snow removal crew at the first sign of snow.