Winter Weather Smarts

Now that winter is upon us, its a good time to look at cold-weather patterns and get an idea of what to expect. You may be familiar with the weather around your local airport, but your travels could take you into unusual corners of the United States, and perhaps into Canada. Winter brings a huge number of weather hazards to worry about, including the thunderstorms that plague the summer months, but by understanding how things are linked together, you can stay on top of things and remain safe.

Key Takeaways:

• Winter weather patterns are primarily driven by two main air mass types: very cold, dense Canadian polar air, which often brings turbulence and clear but gusty conditions, and Pacific air systems, which originate on the West Coast and can evolve to draw Gulf moisture, producing severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, or heavy snow/ice across the central and eastern U.S.
• The jet stream strengthens and shifts southward during winter, significantly increasing the risk of clear air turbulence (CAT), especially in flight levels and mountainous regions like the Rockies.
• Additional winter hazards include various types of fog, such as radiation fog, return flow moisture fog along the coasts, and persistent valley fog in the Northwest, which can last for days or weeks.

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