Definition
A NOTAM contraction indicating that piles or ridges of snow, created by snow-removal equipment along the edges of a runway, taxiway, or ramp, are present at the airport.
Plain English
The airport is telling pilots that plowing has left walls or piles of snow along the edges of paved surfaces.
Context Anchor
Seen in winter NOTAMs and airport condition information, especially after snow removal operations.
Derivation
A simple contraction of 'snowbank,' formed by dropping the vowels — a common pattern in NOTAM shorthand to keep messages short while still readable.
Why Pilots Care
These snowbanks can narrow usable pavement or create hazards if they are too close to the operating surfaces.
Grounding Statement
Picture a runway or taxiway that has been plowed, with ridges of snow left along the edges where an aircraft might pass close by.
Intuition Check
Do not read SNBNK as just ordinary snow on the surface. It specifically points to piled-up snowbanks caused by plowing.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM read 'SNBNK 3 FT ALG RWY 09/27 EDGES,' so the pilot planned to stay well within the centerline during taxi.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots checked the SNBNK conditions before taxiing to avoid wingtip clearance issues.