90% chance of rain

[David Bowie]

In the thread "99.44% pure"
Charles Doyle <cdoyle at UGA.EDU> wrote:

> Speaking of imponderable percentages:  What does it mean when the
> weather report--in the midst of a rainstorm--prognosticates a 90%
> chance of rain??

According to one of our local (Central Florida) weathercasters, it depends.

He says that, generally, it means that there is a 90% chance that a
chunk of the forecast area will experience rain during the day. However,
at times/places where rain is pretty much guaranteed (say, Central
Florida in August), it means that 90% of the forecast area will
experience rain that day. (It's a subtle but meaningful difference.)

--
David Bowie                               University of Central Florida
     Jeanne's Two Laws of Chocolate: If there is no chocolate in the
     house, there is too little; some must be purchased. If there is
     chocolate in the house, there is too much; it must be consumed.

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