I've become obsessive about the Weather Channel, and check it first thing each day as I stagger towards the bathroom. Those little icons and the cheering reports (available for 36 Hr forecasts, 10 Day forecasts, and Hourly forecasts) make or break my morning.
Never mind what abstract joy the stars might have in store for me - I want to know whether I need to nag my highschooler to put a raincoat on before he leaves for the station.
However, my relationship with the WC is turning sour. I'm getting broody and sullen. The icons are letting me down. And it all hinges on definition.
Take today, for instance: intermittent show showers were forecast (the big load is waiting for us tonight, apparently). What does this mean?
As far as I am concerned, a shower means drops, a sprinkle, a short fall of rain or snow or liquid.
Clearly, the Weather Channel and I don't share the same understanding of a short fall - it has been snowing without stopping (save for a brief interval about 10ish) since 8am and it is now 13:45. Call me a curmudgeon if you wish, but this is not, definitely not, absolutely not, in any way, shape, iteration, or definition, a SHOWER.
So there!
It has got me thinking, though. I am going to start looking more closely at the language we use to talk about the weather.
Now I am off to dig out the car from under the "1-2 inches" that were originally predicted (plus another couple of inches that just came along for the ride). Ha! Forecasts!
hahaha! This was a great blog! I feel the same way. It is funny that when I lived in Guatemala I NEVER checked on the weather report. Its always spring like weather so I knew with a jacket i was good. Since I came to NY, especially these past days wow! I cannot go out of the house without looking at it. But I have to say, since I am not from here, I do enjoy the snow :)
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