Chicago's Wind Weighs Down Olympic Bid
Chicago - A little wind is what you expect during late summer on Chicago's lake front. But when it comes to outdoor Olympic sports, Chicago wind may be too much of a good thing.
The new International Olympic Committee report says Chicago's weather is a concern: The wind during outdoor venues could disrupt certain sports. Events like tennis, open water swimming, archery, rowing and flat water kayaking are sensitive to wind and could be delayed or postponed due to big wind.
Too much wind might affect these wind-sensitive sports by causing scheduling conflicts/delays. While Chicago's average wind speed increases in the mid-afternoon to slightly over 11 m.p.h. it's not the strongest afternoon wind on the list of potential host cities. But Chicago is the only city with the moniker "windy city" raising the debate that the nickname might be unjustly influencing the evaluation.
But kayaker Jeff Smoke who competed in the Athens Games says Chicago's wind wouldn't be distracting for athletes.
"In Athens, the race course was near a wind farm and it was very windy," Smoke said. "But we still had our races. It's an outdoor sport and as an athlete you come to expect to deal with the wind."
Among the average afternoon wind speeds for other cities vying for the bid are: Tokyo, which averages 14 miles per hour, Madrid at 12 and Rio de Janeiro is significantly less at eight 8 miles per hour.
Smoke says in a sport like flat water kayaking: "Ideally, there's no waves, no current, no wind. But 10 to 15 miles per hour is a wind that creates friction and also can heighten waves... but the break wall that Chicago is planning could deal with that."
The climate history of Chicago has not proven to be significantly windier than other American cities. Average summer wind speeds are higher than Chicago in many US cities including Boston, New York City, San Francisco, even Honolulu! Click here for the Top Windy Cities in US.
The National Climatic Data Center shows Chicago's late July and early August winds are about the same on average as winds in Los Angeles and Atlanta, which hosted the 1984 and 1996 Summer Olympics.
Among the average afternoon wind speeds for other cities vying for the bid are: Tokyo, which averages 14 miles per hour, Madrid at 12 and Rio de Janeiro is significantly less at eight 8 miles per hour. However, the concern may not only be the wind speeds. Undeniably, like most big cities Chicago has its "wind tunnels," and then there is Lake Michigan. The proximity of Chicago's proposed venues to Lake Michigan may increase vulnerability to wind variations and extremes.
Also, interesting to note, the report reviewed high average temperatures in Tokyo and Madrid pointing out extreme heat would likely cause similar schedule interruptions that wind delays might present. The committees governing wind-vulnerable sports, such as archery, rowing and tennis, signed off on the climates of all the host cities and reported to the IOC they can the average breezes are tolerable in any of the candidate cities.
It's important to note that the International Federation has approved all of Chicago's venues. At this point, Chicago's weather is labeled satisfactory with the wind listed as a concern.
A Look at Weather Details for the Potential Host Cities From late July to early August
Chicago
Late July to early August is the warmest time of the year in Chicago, with an average high temperature of 84° degrees. But the city is positioned on the shore of Lake Michigan which gives rise to the phrase "Cooler by the Lake." The lake front cools due to winds flowing off the Lake. The average wind speed for Chicago in late July into early August is 11.3 mph.
The average rainfall is close to 3" for this period with intense thunderstorms producing quick bursts of rain in short amount of time. During this time of year, there can be wild extremes in Chicago weather. The city had a deadly heat wave in July of 1995 but July 2009 was the coolest July ever recorded in Chicago.
Rio de Janeiro
Situated in the tropical South Atlantic, Rio de Janeiro is warm all year round. But since Rio de Janeiro is south of the equator the Summer Olympics would really be during the Rio de Janeiro season of Winter. This time of year averages 77 degrees for daytime high temperatures and on average, records just one day above 90 degrees during this time.
Rain is at its lowest in winter, especially July and August with a 2" average. The last two weeks of July through the first week of August average about 7 days with precipitation. There is only moderate discomfort from humidity during July and August. The winds off the ocean near the South Zone of Rio offer welcome respite from hot summer temperatures, but winds close to the city average just 8 mph.
Tokyo
Tokyo is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean and has a humid, subtropical climate. The average temperature is 77 degrees. But it can have very hot days - including major heat extremes. In the summer of 2004, a record 109°F was recorded in the middles of the middle of Tokyo (Adachi ward), and days over 86°F continued for 40 days. The main reason for the heat wave was Tokyo's "urban heat island syndrome," these type of heat streaks are common in large cities in the summer months. There's a rain season in Tokyo starting in early June and lasting till mid of July, but showers are more common in the typhoon season (usually in September) are heavier with strong winds. The average winds in Tokyo are 13.9 mph for late July into early August.
Madrid
Towards the end of July, and throughout August, Madrid can get very hot with temperatures sometimes reaching 100°F. However, the climate in Madrid is very low in humidity, therefore making the high temperatures easier to tolerate. Due to the city's high altitude (600m) night temperatures tend to be cooler, making the average temperature appear more comfortable in the 70s. But daytime high temperatures in late July through early August average 88 degrees. The city is located on the Manzanares River. Precipitation during this time averages less than half an inch (.40") The average wind speed for Madrid is 11.9 mph.
*Average wind speeds are for late July into early August by NCDC
Amy Freeze is the Chief Meteorologist for Fox Chicago and an avid marathon runner. To get daily forecasts and more news click here.
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It is a bit ridiculous that this would even be addressed. The windy city moniker is for politics, not because it is windy here.
I could understand if we had gale force winds whipping around town, but that isn't Chicago.
Last report said IOC has a concern they will not be able to land at Meigs Field.