Commercial airlines preemptively canceled some flights from Redmond Airport Wednesday due to a winter storm that could dump six to 12 inches of snow in Bend and Redmond.

The airlines make their own decisions to cancel flights due to weather conditions independent of airport management, according to the airport. The airport’s online flight status showed flights canceled this afternoon to Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco, Reno and Phoenix.

Passengers are encouraged to check their flight information with their airline at www.flyrdm.com.

Nicole Jurgensen, the airport’s security manager, said the operations staff is working hard to keep the airfield open. Crews use deicers, brooms and plows to clear the airfield.

The airport was scheduled to remain open this evening, with a flight still scheduled to Portland.

“We pay very close attention to the weather,” Jurgensen said. “We are doing our best to keep it open and we will as long as it’s safe.”

This is the second time within a month that flights have been canceled at Redmond Airport due to winter weather. Airlines canceled flights in mid-December when up to 12 inches of snow fell in Redmond.

According to the National Weather Service, significant snow is expected through Wednesday afternoon with snow accumulating up to a foot around Bend.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820,

kspurr@bendbulletin.com