tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16914987.post2339870224811185913..comments2023-03-12T03:56:00.991-05:00Comments on Arkansas Weather Blog: On My Soapbox Because I'm Not "Normal"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16914987.post-36104447508027712042016-02-03T10:51:54.285-06:002016-02-03T10:51:54.285-06:00I agree with the semantics argument expressed by M...I agree with the semantics argument expressed by Mr. Young. Here's what you do, Todd. Why not post the "normal" or "average" on your broadcast, but then include a standard deviation. In the winter, that could be huge (big temperature swings). In the summer, I would think it would be small (swings of a few degrees). That will give viewers a better idea of what the temperature could be rather than just "normal" or "average".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16914987.post-4946018716282809642016-02-02T10:36:26.165-06:002016-02-02T10:36:26.165-06:00I think that "normal" in this case is us...I think that "normal" in this case is used as a synonym for average. It is really just a semantics argument. It can be considered "normal" as the running average tells us there is an "average chance" that the temperature will be about X. <br /><br />I calculated the average of that data to actually be 53, with a standard deviation of about 13 (it is possible that I missed some of the data). To me, a normal high of 52 in this context means that it is going to be between 39-65F with 95% confidence. I am not aware of the statistical model that is used to match the temperature distribution over time though, so perhaps the confidence is too high or too low.<br /><br />I do think they should report the deviation from average. I think it would be more accurate to do so.Matt Younghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06202634136240988591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16914987.post-3045470314405039722016-02-01T21:55:41.258-06:002016-02-01T21:55:41.258-06:00Excellent points, Todd. Same thing with body tempe...Excellent points, Todd. Same thing with body temperature; it is commonly believed that 98.6 is "normal" and that above (or below) is abnormal and means you are sick. My "normal" body temperature is about 97.8, almost a full degree lower. When I hit 99, I feel sick and am sick.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14595212235456251464noreply@blogger.com