Does it mean that there is a 40% chance that it will be raining at any given time or a 40% chance that it will rain at all?
2006-08-08 05:36:44 · 8 answers · asked by Nobody 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
It means that if that same day were to happen 10 times it would be expected that 4 of those days would have rain in the prediction area.
2006-08-08 17:36:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means there is a 40% chance that it will rain at a particular spot in the forecast area during that particular time period. It's a combination of the chances that it will rain at all, and the chances that the rain will hit a particular spot. For example, there might be 100% chance that it will actually rain (e.g.- due to a strong cold front), but if you're near the southern tip of that cold front or something along those lines, there might be only a 40% chance that it will rain where you are, ergo a 40% chance of rain.
It does NOT mean that it will be raining 40% of the day or anything along those lines. Depending on the type of weather that is bringing you the rain, it will often only be raining for an hour or two, and the rest of the day will be rain free. Usually the time of day when the rain is most likely to occur is predictable in a 24-hour forecast, and a meteorologist should be able to tell you whether rain is most likely in the morning, afternoon, etc.
2006-08-08 06:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by Texan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything 20% and above will show rain. Technically everyday, even on sunny days their is at least 10% being the fact that storms tend to pop up out of nowhere. Even on the hottest sunniest days. So when they show 40% that means their is a great chance of rain. On average, meteorologist will go a maximum of 50% on 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10 day forecasts. They usually don't go past 50% until their is rain in the area. When their is rain for a large area, usually the local forecast will go for the upper percentages for the vicinity. If the storm is small, then the precipitation percentages raises for that town. Precipitation percentages are usually based on fronts, pressure systems, surface winds, trade winds, position of jet stream, and weather trends (patterns) in the weather over the past weeks, and months. And the current data is compared to data collected over the past few years from the town, county, local area, and state.
2016-03-27 03:52:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats not right. When I say that there is a 40 percent chance of precipitation for a given area it means that there is a 40 percent chance that there will be a MEASUREABLE amount of precipitation for the given area. e.g. 0.01 inches or more. or more than a trace.
2006-08-08 07:28:06 · answer #4 · answered by clr10sm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
40% chance of it happening at some point in the day.
2006-08-08 05:39:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anticlea 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that forty percent of the area will get some rain.
2006-08-08 05:45:29 · answer #6 · answered by Gretchen B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
60% chance that there won't be any rain.
2006-08-08 05:45:37 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gretchen B is correct in her answer i couldnt say it any better
2006-08-08 08:03:10 · answer #8 · answered by vucker4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋