BWI Planning for Snow, Flight Cancellations

Forecasts for the winter storm heading toward the mid-Atlantic are anything but consistent, and crews at the Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport are preparing for the worst, according to airport officials.

Although no broad cancelations have been announced, airport spokesperson Jonathan Dean said he does expect airlines to cancel some flights.

"It will depend on conditions here and at other markets throughout the East and Midwest," Dean told Patch. He said travelers should check with their airline websites for delays and cancellations tomorrow.

As for those travelers who will be at BWI during the worst of the storm, Dean said he doesn't expect many stranded travelers.

More than 200 staff and contractors are prepared to clear runways, roads and sidewalks around the airport in the event of heavy snowfall, according to a statement from BWI.

"We will have employees working throughout the expected winter weather to help ensure safe operations for travelers and airline partners," said Paul J. Wiedefeld, executive director of the Maryland Aviation Administration.

The airport has access to 175 pieces of snow removal equipment as well as 240 tons of sand, 350 tons of salt, 175 tons of solid deicer and 60,000 gallons of liquid deicer.

BWI recommends travelers who must visit the airport use the covered garages.

For more information on cancellations and delays, visit the BWI website.