How Manchester Airport prepares for snow and ice – and top tips for passengers using the airport in wintery weather

Snow and ice can cause issues for all transport networks - but Manchester Airport has taken a range of measures to make sure the potential for disruption is minimised

Passengers can also prepare to help make travelling through the airport during wintry weather easier.

All airports face challenges operating during snowy weather and it's no different at the Manchester, the UK's biggest airport outside London.

With more than 20 miles of runways and taxiways - plus a significant road network, miles of footpaths, a train, tram and bus station and several sizeable car parks - keeping it running during the worst of the winter's weather is no small task. But despite that, significant disruption due to snow and ice is rare because of the work that goes into mitigating the effects.

Here are some of the ways the airport prepares:

· Monitoring the weather. Manchester Airport covers a huge footprint and is surrounded by hills meaning weather can vary quickly across the site. That is why it uses sophisticated forecasting systems that monitor the exact air pressure around the airfield, the precise level of the clouds and more. This means that teams at the airport know not only when snow is likely to start falling but also the temperature of the tarmac on the airfield and the likelihood of any snow settling. This also helps the airport understand what type of snow is likely to be around. Snow is easier to clear when the temperature is below -2c because it is drier as all the moisture in it is frozen; above that temperature, not all the moisture will be frozen meaning it turns to slush and ice that are more slippery and harder to clear. This is part of the reason airports in colder countries are able to operate despite regular snow

· Putting extra staff in place. During the winter months there are extra staff on rotas all over the airport, including an adverse weather standby team who can be deployed depending on the forecast. We also have a dedicated 100-person resilience team trained in different roles around the airport who can help out

· Treating surfaces all around the airport. The airport's road network, including all the car parks and footpaths, is treated with grit and salt in much the same way as other busy roads and pavements to make sure they are safe for users. This happens throughout the winter. On the airfield it is a slightly different picture; grit is not suitable for airfields as it is corrosive and can damage aircraft. That is why the airport uses a de-icing fluid on the runways and taxiways that prevents them from freezing. The surface of the runway is also slightly grooved to improve grip in cold weather

· Specialist snow and ice clearing vehicles. The de-icing measures will prevent some snow from building up but when it is heavy that can still happen. Manchester Airport has a fleet of more than 30 snow clearing vehicles (pictired above) fitted with ploughs, blowers, brushes and more. They can be mobilised quickly and can clear significant snowfall in a short period of time

· On rare occasions is can be necessary to close the airfield. Manchester Airport closes the airfield when snow reaches a certain depth. Doing this allows for the full mobilisation of its fleet of snow clearing vehicles so that runways can be cleared more quickly. These closures are usually short and are an important safety measure

The airport does all it can to prepare for wintry weather - but passengers can prepare too. Here are Manchester Airport's top five tips for travelling in snow and ice:

1. Plan your journey in advance, allow extra time and check travel conditions on the way to the airport. Snow and ice can cause disruption on road and rail. Check travel information via popular apps like Apple Maps and Google Maps and look out for travel news on TV and radio. Train travel can also be affected by cold weather but operators and services like Trainline will update you if your journey is affected by significant delays. Any type of travel is likely to be slower in cold weather so allow extra time

2. Make sure you are prepared in case you get stuck or significantly delayed en route to the airport. If you are driving, make sure you have food, a drink, warm clothes, sturdy shoes, a blanket, a phone charger, de-icer, a warning triangle, a torch, a first aid kit and a shovel. If you are on the train, make sure you have a phone charger, warm clothes and things to keep you and your family occupied.

3. Make sure you are dressed for the weather in the UK - not just for wherever you are going. If you are going somewhere warm it may seem inconvenient to take a coat, hat, gloves and sturdy shoes with you - but you will be glad of them if you face delays on the way to the airport or on your way home

4. Keep an eye out for communications from your airline and from the airport. Your airline will inform you of any significant issues with your flight. Make sure you can access your emails and follow your airline on social media. Some airlines have apps that will send alerts direct to your phone if there are updates. In the event that the airport's airfield has to close it will post details on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), when it closes and when it reopens and will provide regular updates in the interim

5. Be careful. Snow and ice can make surfaces slippery so take care. The airport grits and treats all footpaths, walkways and car parks and monitors them throughout the day