WINDY CITY WATERFRONT WEBCAM;
NOAA WATCHES THE WINDS

July 9, 2001 — For many years, Chicago has been known as the Windy City. Scientists from NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory are using instruments and a Webcam to measure just how windy it is, especially on the waters of nearby Lake Michigan. (Click NOAA image for larger view of Chicago, Ill., skyline.)

"Because winds are the driving force behind waves and currents in the lake, the more we know about wind speed, direction, and duration on the water's surface, the better models we can build", said Dave Schwab, an oceanographer at the Ann Arbor, Mich., laboratory.

Not just scientists are interested in winds on the lake—windsurfers discovered the public Web site that displays the data and Webcam imagery—and are among the most enthusiastic users.

An e-mail message to the lab from Marc Stadler, the weather officer of the Evanston Windsurfing Association in the Chicago area, extolls the virtues of the site. "It(‘s) about as close as we can get to an accurate wind reading out on the lake near where we sail...I'm sure the entire sailing community in this area is very happy to log on to it. Thanks for a great site."

While windsurfers and others find the data useful, scientists use it to create more accurate and reliable coastal forecasting to protect lives and property. The information can be used to contain and manage potentially hazardous spills, as well as direct search and rescue efforts during marine emergencies.

Steve Ruberg, an electronics engineer and group leader of GLERL's Marine Instrumentation Laboratory and colleagues worked with the City of Chicago Water Department to coordinate the deployment of a meteorological instrument package and a Webcam on the Harrison-Dever Water Intake Crib located two miles east offshore the downtown Chicago waterfront. The site was ideal as electrical power and wireless Internet access were available to power instruments and transfer data to the Web site in real-time.

The measurements recorded at the location and available on the Web site include wind speed and direction, and air temperature. Data are sent to the Ann Arbor laboratory every 15 minutes. Greg Lang, GLERL physical scientist, explained that once the new data arrive, automated software is used to digest and synthesize it and then update the Web site.

"The National Weather Service's Chicago forecast office is now relying on observational input from the site in making nearshore marine weather forecasts, while assisting in maintaining the instruments," Ruberg said.

Along with the windsurfers, recreational boaters, sailors, surfers, kiters and anglers use the site to observe and determine conditions on the lake. NOAA scientists recognize the importance of the public's use of the site, especially if it means improved safety.

"Our primary role is to collect data to be used for scientific purposes, but we feel it is a privilege to provide information for public use," Ruberg said. "If it is useful to the public, we are happy to do it."

Stadler, in a later e-mail, notes that since he began windsurfing, he's become a "weather junkie."

"I've come to rely heavily on NOAA products. We need accurate models for wind forecasts, along with meters that give us an idea of what current conditions are. I am extremely impressed by how responsive NOAA is to us, the end users," he wrote.

The idea for the station and the Webcam came from the need for more science. GLERL scientists and engineers developed the technology in response to a lack of shoreside data from that region of Lake Michigan. They also wanted to provide a service to the Chicago community. Future plans call for more sensors to measure increased marine and environmental elements, such as wave height.

"We could not have done this alone," Ruberg said. "We greatly appreciate the assistance and cooperation we received from the City of Chicago for this project."

The project also received $3,000 from GLERL's outreach budget.

"We recognized that the Webcam would provide opportunities to inform the public about the missions of NOAA and GLERL," said Michael Quigley, GLERL's outreach coordinator. "This is also a way for them to learn about the lab's products, services, and expertise. We are also working with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant program to see if we can make the Webcam's images and the meteorological station data available to Chicago museums for use in educational exhibits."

GLERL is also developing similar capabilities at shore-based sites elsewhere in the Great Lakes Basin. In Milwaukee and Kenosha, Wis., data obtained from these locations will be used to better understand and predict the complex dynamics of waves and currents in southern Lake Michigan.

On Lake Huron, a similar Webcam and meteorological instrument package will be installed at the Alpena, Mich., water plant and are expected to be operational by late summer, according to John Lane, MIL Electronics Technician.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's Windy City Waterfront Webcam

NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

GLERL's Marine Instrumentation Laboratory

National Weather Service's Chicago Forecast Office

Media Contact:
Jana Goldman, NOAA Research, (301) 713-2483 ext. 181

 

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