what is the difference between scattered thunderstorms and isolated thunderstorms"?

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

scattered thunderstorms cover a wider area. you are more likely to get rain if the forecast calls for scattered than for isolated. Isolated means that you may or may not get rain. in fact only a few areas might.

Answer 3

if a forecast calls for scattered storms then it is expected that within a 50 mile radius there will be at least 2 individual storms or a line of storms present or moving through an area at a single time. isolated means that you can expect the chance of a storm to be within a 50 mile radius of any point in the forecasted area. it doesnt mean there will be one but there is the chance of one.
generally you re more likely to see a storm in the forecast is scattered rather than isolated.

Answer 4

just what the words imply.....scattered are well...scattered. they are smaller storms broken up covering an area. they are the storms that are "hit and miss storms" that can cause severe rainfall and wind and lightning but pass over relatively quickly....

isolated is usally one large storm not broken up. these are also very strong but will last longer because they are bigger and cover mroe area...

both are common along fronts (boundaries of air masses) passing over an area. Most commonly a cold front passing over after a hot summer spell

Answer 5

eat her way you ll get wet no mater what take an umbrella,