Navigating the Skies in Snow: Can Planes Fly Safely?

 Travelers frequently inquire as winter weather approaches: How many inches of snow will cancel a flight? The answer isn't simple because it depends on a number of variables including visibility snowfall rate, and airport readiness. Airports can usually tolerate a few inches, up to about 6 or 8 inches, without experiencing significant problems. Even a few inches of snow could result in cancellations though if it falls quickly and heavily obstructing vision or creating hazardous runway conditions. Because of this it's important to understand that the decision about how many inches of snow will cause a flight to be canceled ultimately comes down to protecting passenger safety.