Arlanda has a policy to never close due to snowfall.
 Arlanda is exposed to lake-effect snowfalls, where ice cold air from the northeast in combination with open water in the Baltic Sea causes heavy snowfall.
 During heavy snowfall at least one runway stays open but in bad weather condition there may be delays even if flight operations continue at all times.
Not just runways need to be cleared, aprons and aircraft parking areas need snow clearing as well.
It is an advantage that there are three runways allowing two open runways when one is cleared at lighter snowfall.
The airport has a total of 250 000 m² to clear from snow and ice, at the same time as the aircraft continue taking off and landing.
During the colder half of the year Stockholm Arlanda has about 65 seasonally hired snow removal staff.
Together with permanent staff, they form a team of 100 people who provide snow removal services.
Special routes are planned for sweeping teams, which clear each route at intervals of 35 to 45 minutes.
The sweeping teams are directed via radio from the air traffic control tower.
When snow removal is completed on each runway the surface is tested by a friction vehicle, which measures friction value.
The airport announces the friction value, and then it is each pilot who decides whether the value is sufficient for a landing.
The friction value determines how often a runway must be ploughed and treated with antiskid agent.
Arlanda has a policy to never close due to snowfall.  Arlanda is exposed to lake-effect snowfalls, where ice cold air from the northeast in combination with open water in the Baltic Sea causes heavy snowfall.  During heavy snowfall at least one runway stays open but in bad weather condition there may be delays even if flight operations continue at all times. Not just runways need to be cleared, aprons and aircraft parking areas need snow clearing as well. It is an advantage that there are three runways allowing two open runways when one is cleared at lighter snowfall. The airport has a total of 250 000 m² to clear from snow and ice, at the same time as the aircraft continue taking off and landing. During the colder half of the year Stockholm Arlanda has about 65 seasonally hired snow removal staff. Together with permanent staff, they form a team of 100 people who provide snow removal services. Special routes are planned for sweeping teams, which clear each route at intervals of 35 to 45 minutes. The sweeping teams are directed via radio from the air traffic control tower. When snow removal is completed on each runway the surface is tested by a friction vehicle, which measures friction value. The airport announces the friction value, and then it is each pilot who decides whether the value is sufficient for a landing. The friction value determines how often a runway must be ploughed and treated with antiskid agent.
Stockholm Arlanda Airport