Thread: The BOM cannot get tomorrow's weather right

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

BOM fact.....over 20 mins duration is rain.

Wondering why you are making these statements if you don't know......

Originally Posted by StephenF10

Wrong. The type of cloud involved is what defines the type of precipitation. Rain falls from stratiform cloud, showers fall from cumuliform cloud. Duration isn't part of the definition but rain will always last longer than a shower.

You are both wrong.
It is merely your opinion until you put up links to where you got that information from so it can be evaluated.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

what hope have climate models?[/COLOR]
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Other way around. Climate is easier to predict than weather. Weather is like the short term noise in the climate. Plus it helps to understand some statistics before being too critical of weather and climate predictions.

Originally Posted by StephenF10

Rain falls from stratiform cloud, showers fall from cumuliform cloud. Duration isn't part of the definition but rain will always last longer than a shower.

Wrong? The world is rarely black or white.
Your definition is correct, but really means nothing to the "great unwashed" (could be a pun in there somewhere). Both forms of precipitation vary from light to very heavy in intensity. The difference to me is duration and BOM says showers last up to 30 minutes. Anything longer I (and I suspect the weather- lads and lassies) would call "rain". If it rains for an hour or so in the morning and again in the afternoon that might be called " rain periods".

http://www.bom.gov.au/info/wwords/

Originally Posted by Pinelli

Other way around. Climate is easier to predict than weather. Weather is like the short term noise in the climate. Plus it helps to understand some statistics before being too critical of weather and climate predictions.

The other way to look at it is one is done by a Meteorologist the other by a Climate Scientist (might be a more technical term?). Similar relationship to to an Electrician and an Electrical Engineer. Dealing with the same stuff on a different scale.

Had light rain here all day, thank God. It's been very dry over the last few weeks and any rain is a plus!!!!

One of the worst things to tell people in forums is that they are wrong.

I admit my time statement of a shower was out by a few minutes but I wasn't WRONG.

The BOM now says showers usually last less than a half hour....was I WRONG?

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

One of the worst things to tell people in forums is that they are wrong.

I admit my time statement of a shower was out by a few minutes but I wasn't WRONG.

The BOM now says showers usually last less than a half hour....was I WRONG?

Well, where is the link to the information that supports your opinion?
Where on the BOM website defines these terms?

I'm not saying you are wrong. I just want to see the supporting documentation before I accept your opinion as fact.

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

One of the worst things to tell people in forums is that they are wrong.

I admit my time statement of a shower was out by a few minutes but I wasn't WRONG.

The BOM now says showers usually last less than a half hour....was I WRONG?

No you weren't wrong. Your definition was the best one presented. I think the best explanations are those which relate to the audience with meaningful data, which you did.
Wrong is a word that rarely applies....especially on this forum.