Which situation would likely lead to a delay change order regarding severe weather?

A change order due to severe weather is typically justifiable when conditions are unexpected and hinder the progress of a construction project. In this case, encountering unanticipated severe weather conditions can lead to significant delays, as contractors may not have prepared for this level of disruption. This situation often falls under excusable delays, where the contractor is entitled to additional time (and potentially additional costs) because the severe weather was beyond their control and was not anticipated when planning the project.

For instance, if a site was cleared and ready for construction but then faced an unexpected severe storm, work would likely come to a halt, equipment could be damaged, and safety might become a concern, justifying a change order. In contrast, working through mild rain, during a planned snowstorm, or within stipulated weather conditions would generally be considered within the scope of normal project risk management and planning, where delays might not be justified as they were anticipated or manageable within the project timeline.