WEATHER REPORT: Accentuate the positive

A few weeks ago, while reading the forecasted weather, imagine my surprise and delight in reading, “…partly sunny…” instead of “partly cloudy.” It made me smile and to think a little more deeply about how forecasts are worded and what they really mean. Doesn’t partly sunny sound more positive than partly cloudy? 40% chance of rain is less than half. Why don’t we say 60% chance of no rain? Just wanted to say I noticed, and it was fun while it lasted.

GERI HAGLER

Coeur d’Alene