Gatwick Airport ready for snow, and LHR in prep.

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IT MAY have been a wet Christmas rather than a white one but Gatwick Airport is ready for whatever weather might be thrown at us.
Gatwick chiefs say that, following an £8 million spending spree on "snow kit", the airport's snow-clearing capacity is now on a par with icy Oslo. The airport's snow-clearing equipment now comprises 98 vehicles, up from the 47 it had two winters ago.

Andy Crabb, Gatwick's airfield operations manager, explained that the airport is now prepared for the worst. He said: "We have snow ploughs, brushes, cutters, blowers and deicing vehicles, as well as tractors.
"We have 18 'sweeper blowers' for the runway and taxiways, and six large runway anti-icing vehicles, and we can store up to 600,000 litres of anti-icing agent – twice as much as we had in 2010."

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http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/story-17815462-detail/story.html

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Gatwick to test new snow-busting kit

Heard the one about the rare weather phenomenon bringing freezing temps and snow to Britain over the next couple of weeks? Yes, Gatwick obviously has, too, as airport chiefs are promising that snow-clearing capacity is now on par with Oslo.

Why? Thanks to an £8 million new "snow-busting kit", which comprises of 98 vehicles, up from the mere 47 it had two years ago.

Andy Crabb, Gatwick's airfields operations manager, explained that the airport is well-prepared for what the weather might throw at it.

He told This Is Surrey Today: "We have snow ploughs, brushes, cutters, blowers and deicing vehicles, as well as tractors.

"We have 18 'sweeper blowers' for the runway and taxiways, and six large runway anti-icing vehicles, and we can store up to 600,000 litres of anti-icing agent – twice as much as we had in 2010."

He added: "All £8 million worth of kit has arrived, been tested and is ready for use."
And there's a real crack-team of people that work around the clock to keep runways clear: during bad weather, a 66-strong team do 12-hour shifts to provide 24-hour cover and snow-free runways.

There are 120 extra staff available to call upon if the need arises, which, as there is 1.8 million square feet of runway, is always a possibility.

The new machinery isn't the only weapons against weather the airport has stocked up on; there's also 4,000 blankets, 600 mattresses, 8,000 bottles of water, 600 folding beds, 20 snow shovels and 10 travel cots in case passengers become stranded by bad weather.
So we believe Mr Crabb when he says: "We are as prepared as possible for the winter months."

And this could be put to the test over the next few days, with temperatures threatening to drop to -10C, and snow bought in by a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW).

According to the Daily Telegraph, temperatures are set to take a nosedive, and snow could hit from tomorrow (Saturday), with around one to two centimetres of snow possibly set to fall across London and the South West, before the wintry showers head further south towards Southampton and the South Coast.

The East Coast is also likely to see a covering, while northern areas such as Lincolnshire and Yorkshire could see as much as five to seven centimetres.

Related articles

Rare weather phenomenon set to bring snow and freezing temps

Freezing temps could last until February

http://travel.aol.co.uk/2013/01/11/gatwick-to-test-new-snow-busting-kit/

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Freezing weather brings snow to London

London was struck with a first light dusting of snow early today as freezing weather continued to bite across the country.

Up to 10cm was predicted in some parts of the UK - but travel chaos was not as bad as expected, with airports continuing services in spite of adverse conditions.

Heathrow advised passengers to check the status of their flights before travelling to the airport.

Stansted Airport posted on its Twitter page: "Wintry weather this morning but flights operating as normal"

The first wave of snow struck most of the country early this morning. A second heavier band is expected to fall over central and eastern England later in the day.

The Met Office has upgraded its "cold weather action" warning to level three - one underneath a national emergency - for all of England, urging social and healthcare services to target specific actions at high-risk groups.

It said: "This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services."

A number of yellow and amber warnings are also in place across the country to highlight the hazardous conditions and likelihood of disruption to travel services caused by the ice, snow and freezing temperatures.

The heaviest snow of up to 10cms will fall in Lincolnshire and north-east England, while central and east England will widely see up to 5cms with temperatures hovering around one degree.

MeteoGroup forecaster Nick Prebble said: "Most places in England will see a good dusting of snow this morning, but a heavier fall will come later in the day for central and eastern England.

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http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/freezing-weather-brings-snow-to-london--but-light-dusting-not-enough-to-halt-heathrow-and-stansted-flights-8450075.html

http://en.allmetsat.com/metar-taf/europe.php?icao=EGLL

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Flights Canceled, Trains Delayed as Snow Blankets Eastern Japan

Snow delayed train services and disrupted flights in Japan as Tokyo was blanketed by the first snowfall of the season.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a gale and snow advisory for central Tokyo, with seven centimeters (2.8 inches) of snow already fallen in the city, Kenji Okada, a forecaster for the agency, said by phone today. The snow came 11 days earlier than the average first fall and six days later than last year, according to the official.
Enlarge image Flights Canceled, Trains Delayed as Snow Blankets Eastern Japan

People push vehicles after they lost traction and skidded on a snow and ice covered road in Tokyo on Jan. 14, 2013. Photographer: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images

Delays of as long as 10 minutes are expected for bullet train services to and from Tokyo, Central Japan Railway Co. (9022) said on its website. Japan’s financial markets were closed today for a national holiday.

All Nippon Airways Co. (9202) canceled 116 domestic flights as of 2 p.m. local time, affecting about 24,000 passengers, it said in a faxed statement. Japan Airlines Co. (9201) said it canceled 193 domestic flights, affecting more than 31,000 passengers.

As much as 50 centimeters of snow is expected in the Kanto and Koshin regions and up to 40 centimeters in the northeastern region of the nation by tomorrow morning, the weather agency said in a statement. Strong winds were also forecast in areas facing the Pacific Ocean across the country, the agency said.

Most schools were closed for Coming-of-Age Day in Japan. KAIS International School in Tokyo and Yokohama International School in Kanagawa prefecture sent pupils home early.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-14/flights-canceled-trains-delayed-as-snow-blankets-eastern-japan.html