A gust of wind in Kansas City showed me why we check the weather three times

Last Thursday, I was setting a 5-ton AC unit on a roof with my 70-ton mobile. The forecast said 10 mph winds, but a sudden 25 mph gust hit just as I was about to set it down. I had to hold the load steady for a solid ten minutes, my hand glued to the joystick, until it calmed. That extra five minutes checking the local airport wind report that morning is the only reason I was ready for it. How often do you guys double-check the forecast right before a critical lift?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_holly2d ago

That local airport wind report is a lifesaver. I check it right before I leave the shop and then again on my phone when I get to the site. Those microbursts they catch can be totally different from the general forecast.

kimr102d ago

Wait you check it again when you get to the site? Honestly that's wild to me, I always figured once I left the shop I was committed. Tbh I never even thought to double-check on site, I just hope the first report holds up. That's actually a really smart move, I might have to start doing that.