Wicked weather leads to delays, cancellations at Glacier Park International Airport

A combination of icy runway conditions and low visibility led to delays and the cancellation of flights in and out of Glacier Park International Airport on Sunday and Monday during the busy holiday travel period.

Airport director Rob Ratkowski said crews successfully managed the snow and frigid temperatures that hit the Flathead Valley last week, but the moist, warmer air that came after posed significant problems.

Flights were delayed for several hours on Christmas Day or canceled outright due to slick runways. The temperature rose more than 60 degrees over the weekend from its low point Thursday and precipitation turned from snow to rain and sleet. According to Ratkowski, when the moisture hit the still cold runways, the pavement froze over immediately. That led to unsafe takeoff and landing conditions.

Ratkowski said crews put down a runway deicer and alleviated the problem by the evening.

On Monday, officials grappled with the challenge of low visibility, one that Ratkowski said goes beyond what the airport can control. Visibility dropped below the minimum required by Federal Aviation Administration regulations, so many flights were postponed and canceled.

Still, Ratkowski is proud of how the staff handled the winter weather.

“We have the best-maintained two miles of pavement in the Valley,” Ratkowski said.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.