Detroit Weather Alerts, Warnings and Advisories: The Definitive Thread
Jan 8, 2015, 10:30 am
#196
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: DTW
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Piggybacking off of this topic, I am faced with connection options of either DTW or ATL every week. Am leaning towards DTW, especially during the winter months, based on the assumption that they handle winter weather issues better than ATL. This assumes, however, that ATL will even be faced with a wintery mess this year. This also assumes all else is equal (price, arrival/depatrure, etc). Can anyone share thoughts/experiences on this, and if you think it makes sense for me to do this.
*Note: this week begins my weekly travel grind (have never had to travel weekly before), so I am still trying to figure out the best options to make the best use of my time. Any help is greatly appreciated.
*Note: this week begins my weekly travel grind (have never had to travel weekly before), so I am still trying to figure out the best options to make the best use of my time. Any help is greatly appreciated.
The balance of the year, I'd tend to go with DTW over ATL just to avoid the spring/summer thunderstorms that tend to pop-up and the circus/zoo/insanity that sometimes is involved with ATL connections.
Jan 8, 2015, 10:45 am
#197
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That is beyond crazy thinking. If weather is your issue, ATL is your place in the winter. I spent THREE DAYS in Detroit last winter against my will.
Jan 8, 2015, 11:39 am
#198
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Weather last year was on the far extreme end for DTW. It was far outside the norm in terms of both snow and temps. Even with the lowest temps of the year today, it is still above the temps we saw on a number of days last year where it was so cold that it was causing fueling issues.
Jan 8, 2015, 12:05 pm
#199
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
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About the only thing unusual for anyone not used to winter travel is the need to deice planes and that's built into the schedule.
Roads are a bigger problem because right now it's so cold that salt doesn't work as well as when it's a bit warmer (like in the 20s).
For the DTW area, this has been a mild winter so far with virtually no snow fall the entire month of Dec.
Bob H
Jan 8, 2015, 12:17 pm
#200
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: DTW
Programs: DL - PM, (NW - Plat), AA - Gold, Marriott - Plat, Avis - First
Posts: 955
Last winter was the most extreme winter for DTW in the history of aviation.
So on that end it was an outlyer.
On average, we typically get about 10 days per winter that have a significant delays and a material impact on travel - roads, airports, commerce. Of that, maybe only about 5 are truly big events that might cause significant delays and cancellations.
Winter 2013/2014 was abnormal because of the combination of heavy snow and extreme cold that had a multplying effect.
We've had it easy so far this winter. We had no measurable snow in the month of December and numerous days in the upper 30s/low 40s and even some 50s.
So on that end it was an outlyer.
On average, we typically get about 10 days per winter that have a significant delays and a material impact on travel - roads, airports, commerce. Of that, maybe only about 5 are truly big events that might cause significant delays and cancellations.
Winter 2013/2014 was abnormal because of the combination of heavy snow and extreme cold that had a multplying effect.
We've had it easy so far this winter. We had no measurable snow in the month of December and numerous days in the upper 30s/low 40s and even some 50s.
Jan 8, 2015, 12:59 pm
#201
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
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Don't choose MSP today!
Unfortunately the snow here in MSP *is* causing delays. Currently MSP is on a first tier ground stop due to snow. Currently expected to end at 2030Z/1430L.
Looks like ORD is also on a GS for UAX carriers and EGL. Snows headed your way DTW...but since it gets there late enough it should be much of an operational factor until the late bank.
Unfortunately the snow here in MSP *is* causing delays. Currently MSP is on a first tier ground stop due to snow. Currently expected to end at 2030Z/1430L.
Looks like ORD is also on a GS for UAX carriers and EGL. Snows headed your way DTW...but since it gets there late enough it should be much of an operational factor until the late bank.
Jan 8, 2015, 1:39 pm
#203
Join Date: Dec 2009
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In recent years many of the thunderstorm bands have been worse in the Midwest than in the south... What I prefer about atl is a much higher number of flights to/From where I go most often. So even if I miss connect, there's usually another flight within an hour.
Jan 8, 2015, 2:05 pm
#204
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Weather last year was on the far extreme end for DTW. It was far outside the norm in terms of both snow and temps. Even with the lowest temps of the year today, it is still above the temps we saw on a number of days last year where it was so cold that it was causing fueling issues.
Really not just in recent years. While ATL's thunderstorm season is longer, the midwest is more intense....by a lot. The absolute highest tornado density in the country is between DTW and FWA. And yes, ATL recovers better.
Jan 8, 2015, 2:30 pm
#205
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
Yeah, I lived it. I got it. But the average number of winter weather delays in DTW will always be higher than ATL.
Really not just in recent years. While ATL's thunderstorm season is longer, the midwest is more intense....by a lot. The absolute highest tornado density in the country is between DTW and FWA. And yes, ATL recovers better.
Really not just in recent years. While ATL's thunderstorm season is longer, the midwest is more intense....by a lot. The absolute highest tornado density in the country is between DTW and FWA. And yes, ATL recovers better.
Thunderbumpers are a different story and my experience is if I'm on a plane and making a connection and delayed by one, my connecting flight is also going to be delayed because it's one of those planes that is circling with us.
The real problem at DTW this year (or maybe next?) will be when they start reconstruction/repairs of one of the runways because the wrong concrete formula was used.
Bob H
Jan 8, 2015, 2:58 pm
#206
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Many of the northern Michigan counties don't get any.
Here is the map.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxHzD5W_yr...0/counties.png
Here is another good one.
http://izarravarela.files.wordpress....rnado-risk.jpg
Trust me, I have analyzed it and it has been reported, FWA is near ground zero and DTW isn't that far away. Admittedly, it does drop off fairly quickly.
Here is the map.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxHzD5W_yr...0/counties.png
Here is another good one.
http://izarravarela.files.wordpress....rnado-risk.jpg
Trust me, I have analyzed it and it has been reported, FWA is near ground zero and DTW isn't that far away. Admittedly, it does drop off fairly quickly.
Jan 8, 2015, 3:13 pm
#207
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: 1/2 way between FNT,DTW
Programs: DL Plat, US Gold
Posts: 711
Many of the northern Michigan counties don't get any.
Here is the map.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxHzD5W_yr...0/counties.png
Here is another good one.
http://izarravarela.files.wordpress....rnado-risk.jpg
Trust me, I have analyzed it and it has been reported, FWA is near ground zero and DTW isn't that far away. Admittedly, it does drop off fairly quickly.
Here is the map.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxHzD5W_yr...0/counties.png
Here is another good one.
http://izarravarela.files.wordpress....rnado-risk.jpg
Trust me, I have analyzed it and it has been reported, FWA is near ground zero and DTW isn't that far away. Admittedly, it does drop off fairly quickly.
The tornado touchdown in Rochester Hills this year was the first I ever recall actually hitting our area in 20+ years.
Jan 8, 2015, 4:11 pm
#208
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Have lived here all my life, this is the first I have ever heard of DTW and Southeast Michigan being in the heart of tornado alley. When did we shift to Alabama, and Mississippi and points to the west of there?
The tornado touchdown in Rochester Hills this year was the first I ever recall actually hitting our area in 20+ years.
The tornado touchdown in Rochester Hills this year was the first I ever recall actually hitting our area in 20+ years.
The bottom line is that the risk of warm severe weather is just as great in DTW as it is in ATL....great if you factor in the months that it is almost out of the question in DTW.
Last edited by indufan; Jan 8, 2015 at 4:16 pm
Jan 9, 2015, 7:37 am
#210
havnfn
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: FL-MCO
Programs: Delta-DM; Hilton-Diamond; Hyatt-Diamond
Posts: 456
OP here
It worked out...close...but worked. Didn't check the bag either. Rolled the dice with that. Ended up arriving at B1 which is right by the psychedelic tunnel and then took the train to the south end and we departed from A6. Boarding started about 5 min. after I got there. Deicing took a while but still managed to be home a little before midnight.
BTW, the CRJ2 wasn't that bad. The seats felt rather comfy. Odd, I know. They were a darker blue seat than I'm used to seeing on DL flights (and not the new quilted look on the MDs)
Oh, yeah...multiple flts from RIC to ORD were canceled. I do like DL when it comes to weather. They seem to work harder at getting flights out.
It worked out...close...but worked. Didn't check the bag either. Rolled the dice with that. Ended up arriving at B1 which is right by the psychedelic tunnel and then took the train to the south end and we departed from A6. Boarding started about 5 min. after I got there. Deicing took a while but still managed to be home a little before midnight.
BTW, the CRJ2 wasn't that bad. The seats felt rather comfy. Odd, I know. They were a darker blue seat than I'm used to seeing on DL flights (and not the new quilted look on the MDs)
Oh, yeah...multiple flts from RIC to ORD were canceled. I do like DL when it comes to weather. They seem to work harder at getting flights out.