What Is The Difference Between Isolated & Scattered Thunderstorms?

Question

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE??

Answer 1

It refers to how much of the forecast area covered by that National Weather Service office that will have thunderstorms. Here is how it translates to percentage coverage:

SHOWER TERMINOLOGY

* Isolated or few Less than 15% areal coverage
* Widely scattered 15-24% areal coverage
* Scattered 25-54% areal coverage
* Numerous 55% or greater areal coverage
* Widespread 55% or greater areal coverage
* No qualifying remark 75% or greater areal coverage

This can be found on various NWS websites--I took it from http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pdt/forecast/fireWeatherGlossary.php

Answer 2

I agree with the last few answers EXCEPT that Joseph guy. If the forecast called for isolated thunderstorms and one popped up, that does not at all mean there will be hail, and the amount of rain depends on how much moisture is available for the storm in the atmosphere. One day here it called for isolated thunderstorms and when one did pop up, it brought very strong winds, large hail, and heavy downpours. I guarantee there was more than 2/10 in of rain. Another time it called for isolated thunderstorms we got a rumble of thunder and few sprinkles. "Isolated" and "Scattered" have nothing to do with the strength of the storm. So DO NOT listen to that Josephy guy. Isolated means maybe a stray one popping up and dissapearing and scattered means theres generally a better chance that you get one, but not guaranteed. Hope that helps!

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What Is The Difference Between Isolated & Scattered Thunderstorms?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE??

Answer 4

This is off the top of my head: During Isolated Thunderstorms, it rains in one spot, and not the surrounding area. In Scattered Tstorms, many rain clouds move from place to place. I hope I helped.

Answer 5

Depends on the weatherman - really. Isolated usually means one or two somewhere while scattered means more but at many different locations.
I like it when they get confused about the terms westerly winds and easterly winds they are supposed to be in a westerly direction but some think its coming from the west. I've seen weathermen on tv use it both ways in one weather report.

Answer 6

When you're dealing with the scattered T-storms, they only rarely conglomerate to form a united force of cosmic energy. Isolated ones, it has been observed, are more independent rascals, rebels, call them what you will. these masterpieces of mother nature's great bosom of life, the isolated ones that is, entertain notions of posthumous glory, through written record of their destructive path through the land. But in the end, it all comes back to perpetual movement, energy, change, matter, whirling through the cosmic landscape, and if it takes a butterfly's wings to transform a scattered to an isolated t-storm, then so be it. may we flow with the will of the gods. be the change you wish to see in the world.

Answer 7

Isolated = a few, over specific areas
Scattered = widespread

Answer 8

Isolated T'storm is a very small area t'storm. Also, not very many in a given region. Scattered are just more numerous.

Answer 9

Isolated means small areas. Scattered means everywhere but at different times.

Answer 10

Isolated is one or two thunderstroms. Scattered is a whole bunch of little ones.