Scattered vs. Isolated--What’s the difference anyway?

As a meteorologist, my biggest day to day challenge isn't forecasting the weather. Rather, it's communicating that forecast in a way people can understand so they can plan their day. For example, what is the difference between isolated and scattered thunderstorms?

I'm not sure where the terms originated, but in almost any weather forecast you'll see anywhere from anyone, you are going to see certain words and phrases thrown around as if they are common knowledge. I accept part of the blame since I use many of them in my forecast every day. I can't tackle them all in one blog, but I can take care of probably the two most misunderstood words in weather-- scattered and isolated. So what's the difference? If I had a rain drop for every time I've been asked that question, I'd be one soaked meteorologist.

Fortunately, the answer is pretty easy to understand. Let's think for a minute in non-weather terms. If something is isolated, it's all alone by itself, right? When you hear or read the word isolated in a weather forecast, think one shower all by its little lonesome somewhere in the News 13 viewing area. What are the odds that thunderstorm will hit your back yard on a given day? Very slim, right?

Now consider the word "scattered." This word's meaning implies "not alone" doesn't it? For example, paper was scattered all over the floor. It takes more than one sheet of paper to scatter all over the floor.

Ok, I've digressed--back to thunderstorms. Next time you hear me say isolated thunderstorms, picture one thunderstorm all by itself in the News 13 viewing area. The odds of that one little thunderstorm hitting you are fairly slim. On the other hand, when you hear me say "scattered thunderstorms," imagine multiple sheets of paper (thunderstorms) scattered all around the area. The odds are much greater that one of many different thunderstorms "scattered" about will hit your back yard than they are of that one little thunderstorm "isolated" all by itself hitting you aren't they?

Clear as mud?

Be sure to check my blog next week. I plan to tackle percentages. What does 20 percent really mean?

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