At Brancato Snow & Ice Management, we think and write a lot about Chicago weather. So it got me thinking… Why is Chicago called the "Windy City?" Is it because of the gusty Lake Michigan winds that cause the snow drifts we are familiar with snow plowing in the winter? Or is it something else? After doing some digging, it …
What is Snow? A Quick Introduction to its Intricacies
We gaze at it, frolic in it, trample through it, and yell at it at the close of a blustery winter season, but have you ever stopped to truly ask yourself, "What is snow?" Yes, if you live in Chicago like us, you already know that it’s a swirly, enchanted form of precipitation, but upon closer examination, we witness the …
What is Thundersnow? What causes Snow Thunder?
Most people are used to having thunderstorms over the summer months. However, thunder in the winter is not nearly as common. In 2011, Chicago was highlighted on The Weather Channel when thundersnow surprised meteorologist Jim Cantore. Let’s examine what it is and what causes snow thunder. What is Thundersnow? A thunderstorm in the summer is typically a tall and narrow …
Joe Brancato celebrates 25 years of providing Chicago Commercial Snow Removal Services
Since 1990 Joe Brancato has enjoyed the Chicago snow removal business. That’s right, Joe knows snow. And he loves it too. Through the years, Joe has found that servicing commercial properties in a consistent and professional manor has always been rewarding. It takes planning, documentation, maintenance and a good old fashioned work ethic – along with some pretty late nights …
Chicago Winter Record Breaking Statistics – How Cold Are Chicago Winters?
We know that Chicago has some pretty rough winters, but how rough can they get? Just how cold are Chicago winters? We did some digging and came up with a complete list of Chicago winter record breaking statistics to help you be prepared or even thankful once winter arrives. Earliest recorded snow – September 25, 1928 and the same day …
Some Interesting and Fun Facts About Chicago Winters That Will Blow Your Mind
During the winter of 2010 one of our friends in a local band was surprised to find that the lock to the band’s trailer which held their instruments had frozen shut. The friend said his band had been playing music together for over a decade and had never seen anything like it, even at their winter show the next week …
What’s so Funny about Chicago Winters? You’d be Surprised!
We can laugh about it, now that we’re lounging by the pool and sipping a frozen drink with a little umbrella in it. As we slather on the sunscreen, we can remember red noses from a totally different cause. Watching our ornery neighbor slip and slide as he shovels snow brings a smile now. We remember now what’s so funny …
New Brancato Snow Removal Website Launched
At Brancato Snow and Ice Management, we’ve been working for months on developing a new website for our customers that can serve as a valuable resource when exploring Chicago and Illinois related winter news, weather, snow removal tips and of course the reliable snow and ice management services we offer. We are continuously re-evaluating our systems and services to better …
The Four Worst Snowstorms in Chicago History
Midwestern winters are notoriously brutal, and after the polar vortex blasted through North America early this year, citizens are particularly anxious to batten down the hatches in preparation for the coming winter. So, just how bad are Chicago winters? Let’s look at the four worst snowstorms in Chicago history… Although vivid memories of the February, 2015 “Super Bowl Blizzard” linger …
Interesting Facts About Snow and Ice You Should Know if You Live in Illinois
So you live in Illinois and you think you know snow? Well, you may have been buried in a Chicago blizzard or two, and you’ve survived a hard core Illinois winter filled with snow and ice, but we’re betting you don’t know a few basic facts about winter snow and ice… 1. Snow is not white Sure, it looks white, …