P64 An automatic wind warning system for construction projects

Cherneski, D. M., J. Chapman, RWDI AIR, Inc., M. P. M. Gibbons, Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin, Inc. (RWDI), De Jong, City of Calgary, and M. Gauthier, RWDI

Environment Canada, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), and private weather companies provide numerical weather forecast products that cover Canada and the United States. The spatial and temporal resolution of these numerical weather forecast products are sufficient for public consumption however adjustments are required when using these products for forecasting wind speeds at multiple working heights for high rise construction projects. This poster summarizes an advanced wind warning system that was developed for the City of Calgary. This system combines a weather forecast ensemble with structural wind engineering best practices to predict wind gust speeds at multiple heights above ground and provide alerts to reduce incidents of falling debris and the impacts of catastrophic wind related events.