Frigid days heat up business
The temperature plunged to zero degrees at O'Hare International Airport Thursday, and this week's snow capped a month that doubled last year's snow fall.
From an economic point of view, the harsh weather wasn't all that bad.
Inclement winter weather in the Chicago-area economy dims some economic sectors while heating up other businesses.
From bowling alleys to movie theaters, Chicagoans move into a winter mindset when the weather grows severe, according to Mike Miller, associate professor of economics at DePaul University.
"Economists watch these seasonal industries to judge how the economy is doing," Miller said. "If the weather is cold, natural gas consumption goes up. When that happens, you'll see industrial production indexes go up."
Housing and building construction may slow, but bowling is a $22 billion a year industry and September to April is its high season.
Arlington Lanes in Arlington Heights on Thursday was busy serving groups of bowlers.
"People want to get out of the house; they get cabin fever," said Bill Duff, the executive director of the local chapter of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America in Lincolnwood.
December's snowfall was like manna from heaven for the ski hill at Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett.
"We've been able to stay open every day of this season," said Doreen Husby, ski office manager at Villa Olivia. "A lot of people have been wanting to learn (to ski). So our ski school has been real busy, too."
The weather also perennially leads to shortages in weather-related items, such as ice melts, salts and shovels, according to Bryan J. Tapella, a spokesman for Oak Brook-based Ace Hardware Corp.
Sales of shovels at Ace are up 25 percent from last year at this time, he said. Roof rakes sales are the best in three years.
"It's really hard to forecast the weather and then forecast what sales are going to be," Tapella said.
Kuhn's Lawn and Snow Service in Naperville changes gears each year from lawn work to snow removal.
"This is the biggest year for us since the 1999-2000 season," said Justin Eberhard, manager at Kuhn's Lawn and Snow. "Last year we plowed six times the whole season. This (season) we've already plowed five times."
The core of metropolitan Chicago's $423 billion economy -- an output larger than the GDP of Switzerland -- will remain relatively insulated, according to Miller. Rail and air transportation have suffered delays this winter season but no substantial losses of business, Miller said.
Tourism also will likely make it through the season healthy, Miller said, due to Chicago's convention business being booked far in advance of winter.
Other stalwarts of the area economy, financial services and manufacturing, also are exposed little to winter's cold and snow, Miller said.