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Probabilistic weather forecasts In the US we have always had this type of forecasting and, therefore, it is easy to understand. I think it's just a matter of getting used to it. It can also be shorter because you don't need so many adjectives to describe conditions.
Lavinia Baker, USA "Researchers split 140 undergraduate students at Exeter University into two groups..." That says it all. Undergraduates were the sample group, not the general population. The general population has very little understanding of percentages and even less of probabilities. Vague terms are better than factual percentages. "A good chance of rain" is understood better than "70% probability of rain".
Jon Axtell, England I really do not see any point in weather forecasts for the general populace. I suggest it is just a talking shop, and a needless time-filler on news reports. There is absolutely nothing we can do about what we get, and anyone with a bit of sense will adjust their day whether the predicted weather arrives or not. Nowadays there is no such thing as bad weather, just wrongly selected clothing. This opinion does not, of course, apply to farmers and seamen, who have their own sources of weather prediction.
Josephine Bennington, United Kingdom We have the probability percent method of forecasting. 50% chance of rain means either it will or it won't. Less than that means it probably won't. Over 90% chance means it is already raining. You see, it's simple!
Sa Smith, US
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