A synoptic analysis of hazardous weather at Heathrow 2005–2022 and its impact on airport operations

Weather at Heathrow Airport can significantly impact operations, accounting for 83% of delays in 2019. This paper describes the synoptic meteorology involved in generating hazardous weather at the airport from 2005 to 2022. Snow was most frequent in N to E airflows, even when pressure remained relatively high. Thunderstorms, strong winds and gales were most common in cyclonic situations and in S to W air streams, although a N flow also contributed substantially to thunder and hail days. Fog occurred more often under light and variable winds but could also be attributed to light N, W to WNW, SW and occasionally E winds.