Weather, Whether or Not

Ok, so some of you may think I am obsessed with weather and weathermen. Perhaps.

I AM signed up with NBC Chicago to send me email weather advisories. And considering the weather we have here in Chicago, I thought I would tell give you a sample of the emails I've received in just the past 4 days:

1)Issued at: 8:43 PM CST 3/12/06, expires at: 4:00 AM CST 3/13/06

The NWS Has Issued Tornado Watch 77 In, Effect Until 4 Am Cst Monday For The Following Areas. In Illinois This Watch Includes 10 Counties...

2) Issued at: 12:39 AM CST 3/13/06, expires at: 1:30 AM CST 3/13/06

The NWS in romeoville has issued a

severe thunderstorm warning for: southern cook county in northeast illinois northern lake county in northwest indiana
Until 130 am cst.
At 1234 am cst, national weather service doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm located near willow springs, and moving east at 40 mph. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds 60 to 75 mph, which can knock down limbs and power lines, damage weak structures, and push trucks off the highway.

3)Issued at: 9:34 PM CST 3/15/06, expires at: 4:30 AM CST 3/16/06

Winter storm warning in effect from 3 am Thursday to midnight cst Thursday night,
The NWS in chicago has issued a winter storm warning. This warning replaces the snow advisory previously issued for this area.
Snow will spread over northern illinois Thursday morning. Snow, heavy at times, will continue into Thursday evening, with the heaviest snowfall rates expected between noon and 6 pm. Snow accumulations during this time may approach 1 inch per hour.
The snow will taper to flurries Thursday evening. Total snowfall accumulations of 5 to 7 inches are expected across the warning area.
A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow are expected, resulting in hazardous travel conditions.

4)Issued at: 4:08 AM CST 3/16/06, expires at: 12:15 PM CST 3/16/06

Winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight cst tonight,
A winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight cst tonight.
Snow will develop over north central illinois around sunrise spreading east into portions of the chicago metro area after 9 am. South of interstate 88 and the eisenhower expressway, precipitation will begin as a mix of rain and snow transitioning to all snow early this afternoon. Snow will be heavy at times this afternoon and early evening, tapering to flurries around midnight.
Snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible across the warning area, with the highest amounts expected near the wisconsin border. Slightly lesser accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected south of downtown chicago.

5)Issued at: 11:29 AM CST 3/16/06, expires at: 7:30 PM CST 3/16/06

Winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight cst tonight,

The period of heaviest snowfall is expected between 3 pm this afternoon and 7 pm this evening which will produce some hazardous travel conditions during the evening commute. In addition to the snow, gusty northeast winds of 15 to 25 mph may produce some areas of blowing and drifting snow this evening.

6)Issued at: 3:59 PM CST 3/16/06, expires at: 10:30 PM CST 3/16/06

Winter storm warning is cancelled. Snow advisory in effect until 11 pm cst this evening.

Periods of snow can be expected through the evening hours. Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected across the advisory area by late this evening. The snow should begin to taper off north of interstate 88 shortly after 7 pm, and will taper off across the remainder of the advisory area by late in the evening.

7) Issued at: 6:20 PM CST 3/16/06, expires at: 7:30 PM CST 3/16/06

Snow advisory is cancelled.
The NWS in chicago has cancelled the snow advisory.
Light snow will continue to taper off to flurries this evening as low pressure weakens and pulls away to the east. A combination of dry low level air and temperatures just above freezing has prevented significant accumulation across the area, generally ranging from a trace to 2 inches. Most area roads remain wet due to mild temperatures.

So - we went from tornado watch, to severe thunderstorn warning to snow advisory in a matter of 3 DAYS, and from snow advisory to winter storm WARNING (with 8 inches expected) to "oh, wait a minute, that's not quite accurate, only 2-4 inches", to "wait, we were totally wrong and there will be NO FRICKIN SNOW AT ALL" in 12 hours time!!

And you wonder why I don't like Tom Skilling!