John Whitby wrote:
Alan White wrote:

On Wed, 05 Oct 2005 13:43:14 +0100, JPG wrote:

I agree
- patchy rain = weak warm front, uniformly overcast and rain
usually light
- showery outbreaks = slow moving convective or Ac Cas, some heavy
rain, some bright or sunny intervals.


Exactly!!!

Yes there is a difference, but to the 'man in the street', rain is rain -
light or heavy. Most are not concerned about the state of sky or cloud
type.
I dislike the term 'showery outbreaks' ....showers are just that
...showers.
The phrase..'Patchy rain in the north and showery outbreaks in the south'
may mean something to weather enthusiasts but would be ridiculous to many.
John

Isn't / wasn't that patchy frontal stuff (previously?) called
intermittent showery rain? Oh dear, it's got more than one syllable poor
old Joe Public will never understand. How the ukmo got by in the past I
just don't know /:

The BBC is wanting to do it as well - according to them it isn't dumbing
down the weather (any more?)....

Les
--
Les Crossan,
Wallsend, Tyne & Wear
54.95N 1.5W
Home of the Wallsend StormCam and the Backup USW FAQ -
www.uksevereweather.org.uk