Celsius vs Fahrenheit (temp, days, storm, degree)

[Synopsis]

For just about everything else, I am for the metric system. But for weather, it just isn't precise enough for me. Measurement of temperature is perhaps the only thing where the metric system is less precise than the old English system.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

But for weather, it just isn't precise enough for me. Measurement of temperature is perhaps the only thing where the metric system is less precise than the old English system.

Exactly... One degree Celcuis equals almost 2 degrees Fahreheit, and there's a lot of number overlap. 68 F is precicely 20 C but 70 F is a fraction, so is 73 F.

Also, all the old gardening books have winter hardiness listed in Fahrenheit, so using Fahrenheit is nicer when you do gardening anywhere in North America with any kind of winter.

The only books I've seen with winter hardiness are in Europe, and there climate is dramatically different than 95% of North America in terms of one places summer warmth compared to winter cold.

* I find it odd that me, as a Canadian is staunchly in favour of using Fahrenheit when most Americans aren't...

(Did I miss something, growing up in Canada? Most young people here are indifferent to the metric system; it's only just familiar. )

Then again I also think a return of 40-cents-a gallon gasoline (prices from the early 1970's?) would be sweet, even though I'm only in my 20's.

[tada]

I prefer the metric system for many things, but not for temperature. With Fahrenheit, I can express which temperatures I like with round multiples of 5. With Celcius, I can't do such a thing because multiples of 5C are too coarse.

I think another reason is that temperatures don't have a prefix like many other units, meaning they don't need conversions. Converting between units that measure the same quantity in the Imperial system just sucks; 12 inches to a foot, 5280 feet to a mile? WTF? That is a major reason why I prefer the metric scale for so many things. However, temperatures are always degrees, no matter how high or low the temperature. Absolute zero is -273C, and even when you are talking about temperatures of stars, they don't use any prefixes like kilo or mega... since the ease of conversion is moot, I prefer the resolution of the Fahrenheit scale.

[§AB]

I prefer metric for everything, including temp.

[mattyj46]

Originally Posted by §AB

I prefer metric for everything, including temp

^^

[AnthonySA]

Personally, I prefer the calibration of the metric system for temperature than English units. In Celsius, thermometers are calibrated to read 0º at the freezing point of water and 100º at boiling point at one atmosphere. Everything in between is divided in increments of 100. On the other hand, the Fahrenheit freezing point is at 32º and boiling point is at 212ºF leaving for 180º increments.

And scientifically, it's much easier to convert between Kelvin and Celsius than it is Kelvin to Fahrenheit as you only have to subtract 273 from the tempeture in Celsius.

It will take a generation or so before we finally adjust to the system should the US go metric. Hopefully it's something we do soon!

[Brandoon]

Celsius. I talk about single units and generalise in 5C incements.

[HighPlainsDrifter73]

Conversion to Celsius can commence after I pass away. Until then, Fahrenheit all the way.

Let's put it to a national referendum. I'll live with the consequences if it doesn't go my way. Otherwise, convertiing to Celsius to please a minority would not be appropriate.

[coosjoaquin]

I grew up with Celcius and I think Fahrenheit is for masochists(unless you dont do chemistry) but IMHO we should all adopt kelvin. I like to start at 0, not at -273C.

[Brian.Pearson]

There are some programs you can download for conversion purposes. Such a program could be sitting on your desktop.