The position of the snow-producing low relative to your departure and destination help make the go/no-go decision.

by Bruce Chien

Flying in snow is a wintertime challenge many pilots take far too lightly. The challenges involve every aspect, from departure planning and takeoff to in-flight decision-making and landing.

Fortunately, the dynamics of most snow systems are fairly consistent and easy to understand. The usual weathermaker that creates snow is the wintertime low pressure center. There are two sorts of snow: dangerous high-moisture snow – usually found on the warm side of the low – and drier, lower moisture content snow – found on the backside of the low. Everyone in the Midwest knows about the two types. The former clogs the snow blower; the latter is easily moved…