On Nov 6, 7:45 pm, Graham Easterling
wrote:
Looks like we are in for some cautious changes:

It means phrases such as 'scattered showers' could be ditched and
replaced with the more mathematical '30 per cent chance of rain'.

'Scattered showers' means a lot more to me than '30 per cent chance of
rain'.

--
Alan White
Webcam and weather:-http://windycroft.gt-britain.co.uk/weather

I agree. It doesn't tell you what type of rain you have a 30% chance
of having. Is it a 30% chance of mist, drizzle & thorough misery, or a
30% chance of a 5 minute shower? I think phrases such as scattered
showers, frequent squally showers etc. are well understood by most
people.

I've noticed that by using percentages it is easier to claim you were
right. So if there's a 25% chance of snow, and it snows, then of
course the forecaster did a good job in predicting it. If it doesn't,
well the forecaster was right.

I've got the email addresses of a number of forecasters, and the
format is normally I don't understand
why they should be protected from feedback as Tudor implies. In the
old days forecasters encouraged feedback - like good old Craig Rich.

Graham
Penzance

What form of feedback existed in the "old days"? A letter?
Few could be bothered to put pen to paper and post it. A personal
phone call to the forecaster? You'd be lucky. The feedback, if any,
was very indirect. Forecasters are not in the same position as, say,
newspaper columnists whose opinions and style are their own personal
responsibility. Weather presenters are little more than mouthpieces
for their organisation and have much less choice in what they say and
how they say it. They should not be required to reply to any old Tom,
Dick or Harry who wants a moan and I hope they don't. If in doubt
press "Delete".

Tudor Hughes, Warlingham, Surrey.