(The following appeared on the LaCrosse Tribune website on December 9, 2009.)
LaCROSSE, Wisc. — Most flights in and out of La Crosse were canceled today as snow and wind hampered visibility.
Airport manager Dan Wruck said crews worked overnight to clear runways but blowing snow made it nearly impossible to see.
“It affects visibility,” he said. “It’s measured in feet. It’s not good.”
Wruck said it’s possible airlines would restore some flights this afternoon, depending on weather conditions in La Crosse and the ripple effects of delays elsewhere. He recommends travelers check with their airline for up-to-date schedule information.
All American Airlines flights in and out of La Crosse were listed as canceled on the airline’s Web site (www.aa.com). Northwest (www.nwa.com) indicated at noon that afternoon flights to and from Minneapolis would be on schedule.
Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) reported that its Chicago-bound Empire Builder was running more than seven hours behind schedule because of weather-related delays. As of noon, the estimated departure time was 5:35 p.m.
The west-bound train was expected to be on time.