Chicago Storm

Breezy conditions the past few days... ORD had a peak wind gust of 40MPH on Monday and 43MPH yesterday.

that’s far from the case. originally, it looked like we may transition into a more favorable pattern in mid-january. that didn’t happen, and the can has gotten kicked down the road…and that continues to be the case. the performance of longer range guidance has been not been the best this winter.

0.7" of snow at ORD yesterday/last night with the clipper that moved through. The seasonal snowfall total is up to 9.9".

i would expect that. but you’re essentially just wanting guidance to show something for more than a run or two and more consistently just for the hell of it. and i get that… it’s because it has been zzz for most of you wanting something bigger and more interesting. guidance will show something consistently when there’s a realistic threat. you mentioned the recent gulf coast winter storm. it was indeed shown for days and days out, as it was a legitimate potential, as we’ve seen. the thread-y winter storm at the beginning of the month was shown for days and days out as well, as it was also obviously a real threat. patience is a-virtue.

so, you'd rather op guidance show something for a bunch of runs, only to have it vanish towards the end because it wasn't realistic?

The earlier day stuff was bonus material. The main round is incoming now.

we need a triple phaser for ya.

ya'll are focusing on op guidance wayyy to much. ENS have had issues, but they're always the way to go more than a few days out.

One day, however, the CWO (contract weather observer) program will be gone. And that day is getting closer as we move along, better back-ground technology is developed, and they is more push-back support. Regarding the former issue, the FAA would most definitely put out whatever OBS they would want to satisfy their operational needs. You don't know how often we get calls from tower personal (both FAA and airlines) that want us to adjust OBS because "they aren't seeing that weather anymore".

i should have flown my palm down there for this winter storm. it could have taught local palms how to prepare for and tolerate the conditions.

https://x.com/MaxTsaparis/status/1881762156640878868

Tonight was always looking like the coldest of the period, for both wind chills and actual temps. So, we’ll see how it goes.

The alignment hasn’t really been in their favor overall.

the thing is, it’s not your “shitty winter” because you don’t live there in the winter.

oh, and rip lions. i was pulling for them.

it’s going to be a paste/cement job too.

snowbirds are the worst.

Snow depth is a real 0" now.

you're still paying for the derecho.

I had no idea that DTX (Or any office) had a budget to pay for anyone to go out to a given site and measure snow for them. But, looking at the listing on that website, it appears common, surprisingly. That now makes sense why DTW would report a T of snow depth, while we don't here at ORD.

Snow depth is now down to 0" at here at ORD.

I've been really hesitant to talk about the upcoming potential pattern change. For one, the can has been getting kicked down the road as to when when it will occur. But also, when it does occur, there like three different directions it may go.

The mystery continues...

They are not supposed to report a T in OBS based on FAA standards. It is either 0" or 1" SD, with no in-between. The only thing I can think of is that DTX is requesting it as supplemental information. @Stebo may be able to chime in on that one. Here at ORD we do not have any sort of agreement like that, however.