Weather measurments (dangerous, yard, deal)

[fbbertusa]

Why is the Temp. taken in the shade.This past summer I collected data from My yard as to what the Temp was according to the Media.I put two thermometers in the shade and two in the sun.We had a very hot summer and the most high Temp I remember the media stating for here in BR was 101 but that was taken in the shade.I registered Temps. as high as 126 degrees in my yard(in the sun).I Would love to here the reason the Weather service does these.Also what do You out there think about this way of measuring the Temp.I AM :t hink:.

[darylwi]

Well, I do know that it's meant to be a measurement of the ambient air temperature. I know that direct sunlight affects most thermometers. After that, I can't really help much. But I would think even when you're sitting in the shade, the ambient air is roughly the same. The difference is that you don't feel the direct sunlight, so most people might feel cooler. Same deal with lower or higher humidity. All of that affects how you feel (heat index/wind chill). But the ambient air temp doesn't really change even with those factors. Direct sunlight does (my guess would be something to do with the radiation exchange), but I'm no expert. Just giving my insight.

[fbbertusa]

Thanks for the replie .In Your fist sentence You state you know direct sunlight affects most Thermometers.OK that being said wouldn't that also affect the Heat on You body making it hotter than reported and more dangerous to be in.I understand that they add the humidity and so forth to come up with a heat index/wind chill. I just wonder when they say it's 94 (in the shade )with a heat index of 101,and I go in the sun(I can feel the Diff). and get a reading of 110,or what ever and add my own heat index I get that it is really hot,which to Me is dangerous.Just been on My mind for yrs.Am I crazy or could the Temp. be measured in the sun also to give us a more accurate reading so that when You are on the football,soccer,baseball field you get a more true reading???Well I know I'm a little crazy but .

[mhounit]

First of all , you need an accurate , STANDARD way of measuring temps . To place a thermometer in the direct sunlight would be inaccurate due to the difference in the way objects absorb or reflect sunlight ( heat ) . What type of thermometer would you use ? Digital or mercury ? Do you place it in the air or on the ground ? Grass or concrete ? See what I mean ? Too many variables .

[fbbertusa]

I see what You mean But I think There has got to be a more accurate system than what they use now.Using Mercury on a wooden pole 6ft. high could be another standard to work off of.I'm just not a scientist but You can see this bothers Me.I don't know I just think it's much hotter than they state.Heck gotta worry about something I guess and heat fascinates Me.Thanks for the reply.Stay cool!!!

[Rosinante]

^^ That 'stay cool' ending was pretty funny — especially coming from someone in Louisiana.

You just have to remember the basic tenets for the local weather. The most important is that there are 2 seasons, Very Hot and Not So Hot.

Temperatures can still get pretty high in the Not So Hot season. For example, just this past week we had 2 days at or near 80º. In fact, I can remember times when it was in the 90's on Christmas day. There are many reasons for this and I don't have time to get into them. Just remember to stay indoors as much as you can during the Hot season — which runs from April 1 to October 31.