What does 60% precipitation mean?

The probability of precipitation (fondly known as PoP) has been part of weather forecasts since the late 1960s, and is the only forecas. read more

The answer is: None of the above. It simply means that the model calculated that there will be 60 percent chances that it will rain. Say, a warm front passes over a region. It will rain, that is 100 percent sure. read more

The probability of precipitation (fondly known as PoP) has been part of weather forecasts since the late 1960s, and is the only forecast element that includes a probability. read more

If the forecaster is only 50% sure that precipitation will occur, and expects that, if it does occur, it will produce measurable rain over about 80 percent of the area, the PoP (chance of rain) is 40%. ( PoP = .5 x .8 which equals .4 or 40%. read more

The answer is: None of the above. It simply means that the model calculated that there will be 60 percent chances that it will rain. read more

PoP does not mean • the percent of time precipitation will be observed over the area; or • the percentage of meteorologists who believe precipitation will fall! The most common definition among meteorologists is the probability that at least one one-hundredth inch of liquid-equivalent precipitation will fall in a single spot. read more