Understanding Common Weather Forecast Terminology

Weather forecasts use specific terminology to convey atmospheric conditions. Familiarizing yourself with these terms can help you better understand daily weather reports.

Sky Conditions

Sky conditions describe the extent of cloud cover:

• Clear/Sunny: 1/8 or less of the sky covered by clouds.
• Mostly Clear/Mostly Sunny: 1/8 to 3/8 cloud cover.
• Partly Cloudy/Partly Sunny: 3/8 to 5/8 cloud cover.
• Mostly Cloudy: 5/8 to 7/8 cloud cover.
• Cloudy: 7/8 to 8/8 cloud cover.

These terms help you gauge how much of the sky is obscured by clouds. (weather.gov)

Temperature Ranges

Forecasts often use terms to indicate temperature ranges:

• Lower 50s: Temperatures between 50°F and 54°F.
• Mid 50s: Temperatures between 55°F and 59°F.
• Upper 50s: Temperatures between 60°F and 64°F.

These descriptors provide a quick understanding of expected temperatures. (weather.gov)

Wind Descriptions

Wind conditions are described as follows:

• Light Wind: 0-5 mph.
• Breezy: 15-25 mph.
• Windy: 20-30 mph.
• Very Windy: 30-40 mph.
• Strong/Dangerous Winds: 40 mph or greater.

These terms help you anticipate wind strength and potential impacts. (weather.gov)

Precipitation Probability

The likelihood of precipitation is expressed as a percentage:

• 0%: No precipitation expected.
• 10%: Isolated showers possible.
• 20%: Slight chance of precipitation.
• 30-50%: Chance of precipitation.
• 60-70%: Likely precipitation.
• 80-100%: Occasional or periods of precipitation expected.

Understanding these percentages helps you prepare for potential weather events. (weather.gov)

Additional Terms

• Isolated: Precipitation affecting a small area.
• Scattered: Precipitation affecting a larger area but still widely spaced.
• Numerous: Precipitation affecting most of the area.
• Occasional: Intermittent precipitation expected.
• Periods of: Intermittent precipitation expected over a period.

These qualifiers provide more detail on the expected coverage and frequency of weather events. (weather.gov)

By understanding these terms, you can interpret weather forecasts more accurately and make informed decisions based on expected conditions.