Why Certified Matters...
How much snow did we get during that last storm? This question can be a fun debate at the home or at the office the day after a winter event. However, it can also be a point of contention and bring unnecessary conflict to a business/client relationship. The meteorologists on television report similar estimated amounts covering a wide range of areas, but they don't always zone in on an official certified number per city/per storm. This can cause a less than desirable debate on snow total amounts on invoices. Every contract is different, but most do rely on some type of snow total verification.
Fortunately, at JC Grounds Management, we have a third party meteorological firm that we work with who alert us of incoming storms and give us a certified storm report after every event. That means we don’t miss any details, and your bill is exceptionally accurate.
Below is a quick run-through of what typically happens during and after a winter storm.
What happens during a winter storm?
A significant winter storm is in the forecast. Here’s what happens:
- Our third-party meteorological firm, WeatherWorks, issues a storm alert at least 24–48 hours prior to the storm. As inclement weather becomes imminent, a second update is sent, with more updates being sent by email and text message as the storm progresses.
- You will receive an update via email/text 24hours prior to the event, detailing the latest forecast and our service plan for the storm.
- We will pretreat hard surfaces with liquid brine within 24 hours prior to the event.
- Our crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ready for action once we’ve been alerted about the weather. Expect them to arrive shortly after the snow starts to accumulate and continue to clear snow and ice throughout the storm.
- Your sidewalks and parking lots will stay clear of snow and ice with specialized applications of brine, salt and/or sand during and after the storm when applicable.
- Approximately three to four days after the storm, a certified report from our third-party firm is available to you. It gives you a meteorologist-approved, quality controlled explanation of everything that happened during the weather event.
What’s included in the certified report?
Each report is specific to a ZIP code and is accurate to the nearest one-tenth of an inch.
Your report will have a “narrative” of the storm, which is essentially the story of what happened. It’s a short, descriptive paragraph written by a meteorologist that describes how the weather event unfolded. This is what you’ll find in it:
- Start & end times of the storm
- Precipitation type & intensity — Precipitation types include rain, drizzle, snow, sleet and freezing rain.
- Temperature data
- Wind speeds, gusts & drifts — With drifts, several snow measurements are taken and then averaged.
Following the narrative is a breakdown of precipitation types and measurements for each, which are the numbers that we use for your final bill.
Why bother with certified reporting?
The main benefit is that you are getting an accurate number, that all parties can agree on and prevents unnecessary billing disputes. You’re getting a certified, quality-controlled, meteorologist-approved number for your bill. It’s a level of accuracy no company would be able to guarantee you on their own.
In addition to the emailed reports, we also have access to an extensive storm archive. This historical weather database is essential for us planning for future seasons and helping us identify how much time and materials we need to dedicate to snow & ice management. They also help us guide you on the best type of contract for your property!
We can access and give you cumulative totals for prior years, which is very helpful as we craft your contract. Accessing years of historical weather data and averages can help you understand any weather risks for a specific area and plan for the future.
Experience the peace of mind that comes with certified reporting
This coming winter is guaranteed to create harsh and severe conditions. Choose a snow and ice management firm that responds quickly to the weather, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with certified reporting.
For even more peace of mind, we also have Certified Snow Professionals (CSPs) on staff who have gone through an extensive training program from the Snow & Ice Management Association (SIMA).
Keep your customers, staff, tenants and guests safe before, during and after every winter storm. Contact us for a complimentary estimate, or to schedule a tour of our facility to see what sets JC Grounds Management apart from your average vendor.
