Chicago Station Unveils New Toy

The latest gimmick for WBBM in Chicago is the Mobile Weather Lab.

According to the station, whether severe storms bring tornadoes, hail, extreme heat, or blizzard conditions, CBS 2 can bring viewers real-time data from the rooftop of the Mobile Weather Lab. The Columbia Pulsar 600 ultrasonic weather station can pinpoint inclement weather at precise locations; and monitor temperature, wind speed and direction, dew point, and barometric pressure – just to name a few capabilities.

The Mobile Weather Lab also features two types of live transmission capabilities, including a 4G cellular technology system.

WBBM Meteorologist Megan Glaros reports the Chicago area’s first highly-advanced weather station on wheels took more than 100 hours to retrofit and engineer, transforming and taking shape piece-by-piece.

A heavy-duty HD camera gives viewers a new perspective of the ever-changing weather, capable of rotating 360 degrees while the vehicle is in motion – all controlled through a wireless joystick inside the Mobile Weather Lab.

It’s also equipped with a live satellite dish to transmit from any location, and two GoPro cameras – one on the dashboard, and one on the side of the vehicle.

A control panel behind the rear seats allows the user to monitor the cameras, and a touchscreen display creates a multiple camera switcher to deliver pictures back to the CBS 2 studios as they happen.

The car is a BMW X5 and it is sponsored by....use guessed it....BMW.