🚀 go-pugleaf

Matt N9NPP wrote:  Wed, 30 Sep 1998 11:55:47 -0500
>Subject: 1100 AM SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK = last one for chicago
>
>WWUS35 KCHI 301554
>SPSCHI
>ILZ003>006-008-010>014-019>023-032>033-039-INZ001>002-010>011-
>019-011100-
>
>SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
>NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHICAGO IL
>1054 AM CDT WED SEP 30 1998
>
>FOR NORTH CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA
>
>THUNDERSTORMS WILL LIKELY DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS
>EVENING AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT...HOWEVER NO SEVERE
>THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED.
>
>THIS IS THE LAST ROUTINE ISSUANCE OF THE 1100 AM SEVERE
>WEATHER OUTLOOK FOR THIS SEASON. THE DAILY 1100 AM SEVERE
>WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL RESUME MARCH 1 1999. SEVERE WEATHER
>OUTLOOKS WILL BE ISSUED AS NEEDED FOR MODERATE OR HIGH RISKS
>OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS FROM OCTOBER 1 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28.
>
>THE DAILY HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK WILL CONTINUE TO BE ISSUED
>FOR ALL WEATHER HAZARDS THAT EFFECT NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND
>NORTHWEST INDIANA YEAR-ROUND AT 600 AM.
>
>BROWNING
>
>
>
>NNNN

Although this seems to be a repeat of history, it is not identical.  Back in
the late 80s/early 90s there was a decision at WSFO CHI to eliminate all the
SWOs unless there was a moderate or high risk of severe storms.  I was told
by one party there that they looked stupid putting out a statement that no
severe storms were expected when the weather was nice.

And that was the situation in August 1990 on the 28th when the late morning
AC escalated to a Moderate Risk (or High-don't recall for sure without
looking into the archives) and because it was not a regular process, there
was no Chicago SWO issued and since there was none it could only be assumed
that there was no real risk.  Tell the people in Plainfield IL about that.

BUT--- The situation today is NOT identical.  First, the Hazardous Weather
Outlook is still to be produced early morning and will no doubt include
information about severe weather as well as other significant winter weather
information.

Then the availability of information is different today than in that time
period.  Telephone company deregulation coupled with increase in data rates
on circuits and virtually making everything but the NOAA Weather Wire (NWWS)
too expensive, eliminated earlier sources of information (Service A, RAWARC,
604 Circuit).  On the NWWS there were no MKC severe weather products except
the actual watches until after Plainfield. Troy Kimmel (Austin TX)  pushed
for the SWO products (DY1 DY2 MCD) and they were added to the NWWS in early
90s.  Then I requested that the status reports be added in the mid 90s and
they along with the "WIBIS" (Watch Will Be Issued-WWUS40) products were
added, so the NWWS has the source info from the SPC.  Additionally, many
have access to these products from EMWIN.

We are fortunate that the NWS has become more open about the availability of
products from the 80s.  I remember one trip to the Belt Area and John Neilon
was touring me around NWS facilities including the  the World Weather Bldg
Precip group and I mentioned the Excess Rainfall (QPFERD) and Heavy Snowfall
(QPFHSD) products were appreciated and he thought that I had committed a sin
looking at those products.  That stuff is available today.

So while it is noted that CHI will eliminate the 11AM product, St Louis and
Central IL have noted that they are closing their Svr Wx Outlooks for the
season - period (unless "needed" or if there is a risk).  Quad Cities will
probably continue their Significant Weather Outlook, year 'round, as they
have since it was instituted when the new office was turned up.  The flavor
of the WCM, and the SOO who came from Larry Mooney's shop are apparent.

So, Matt, there's a little background to that "announcement".

Bob Hajek  W9QBH
Illinois SEC
Asst Director Melrose Park ES/PS

+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
To unsubscribe from SKYWARN send e-mail to LISTSERV@PO.UIUC.EDU with
"unsub skywarn" in the body of your message.  If you need help or more
information on the SKYWARN discussion group write to chris@siu.edu or
see http://www.inlink.com/~landmb/intro.html.  For more information
on SKYWARN activities across the country visit http://www.skywarn.com
and http://www.winternet.com/~daveej.