This favourite terminology from the BBC usually implies (I think) reduced
direct sunshine due to cirrus or other thin high cloud.

I wonder why they persist in using this misleading expression? Hazy
normally would mean reduced surface visibility due to dust or other
particles.

I realise that the BBC is talking to the general public who no doubt
understand perfectly well what is meant. But I am confused when they
sometimes refer to "Hazy Sunshine" and don't mean cirrus, but to genuinely
reduced visibility.

A new form of words is needed to describe reduced insolation resulting from
thin high cloud. Any suggestions?

Incidentally, on my gliding site, I use the term "thin top cover" to imply
that reduced sun will affect thermals, but this is hardly appropriate
terminology for Joe Public

Jack

"Jack Harrison" wrote in message
...
This favourite terminology from the BBC usually implies (I think) reduced
direct sunshine due to cirrus or other thin high cloud.

I wonder why they persist in using this misleading expression? Hazy
normally would mean reduced surface visibility due to dust or other
particles.

A new form of words is needed to describe reduced insolation resulting
from
thin high cloud. Any suggestions?

I don't criticise this usage, although I don't particularly like it and I
don't
use it myself. 'Hazy' has meanings beyond meteorology as a quick squint
in the dictionary will show you. My Collins is handiest at the moment and
this is what it has to say:

hazy /adj/ 1. characterized by reduced visibility; misty. 2. indistinct;
vague. (C.17; of unknown origin)

I prefer to use 'weak sunshine' in a winter context, 'watery sunshine'
on occasion, for instance through a cirrostratus veil or altostratus
ahead of a warm front, and in summer, if appropriate 'sunshine
filtering through high clouds'.

You might think 'watery' is an odd adjective to use in front of
sunshine, but there it is in the dictionary: "4. insipid, thin, or weak."
However, I don't like 'milky' which is a more appropriate
description of clouds rather than sunshine. The dictionary agrees:
"1. resembling milk esp. in colour or cloudiness. 2. of or
containing milk. 3. spiritless or spineless."

Philip Eden

Glad someone other than me has raised this point, which is one of my pet
hates.
The term that "the grown-ups" used in my childhood was "watery
sunshine", or "a milky sky", and I have used it ever since when talking
non-technically. It would be acceptable for presenters to use. As you say,
Jack, it is most definitely not haze, which reduces visibility and gives a
brownish-yellow tinge to everything. The persistent misuse of the term over
the last 10 years or so now means that many members of the public have lost the
distinction as well, or are confused. This probably wouldn't have happened if
we still had fully-fledged meteorologists doing the presentation, but many of
the present lot, especially the female ones, have little feeling for the
weather. I feel it's time to gently educate the public rather than pander to
their (often wrongly)-assumed ignorance.

Best wishes, Tudor Hughes, Warlingham, Surrey.

On Wed, 9 Jul 2003 08:47:34 +0100, "Jack Harrison"
wrote:

This favourite terminology from the BBC usually implies (I think) reduced
direct sunshine due to cirrus or other thin high cloud.

I wonder why they persist in using this misleading expression? Hazy
normally would mean reduced surface visibility due to dust or other
particles.

I realise that the BBC is talking to the general public who no doubt
understand perfectly well what is meant. But I am confused when they
sometimes refer to "Hazy Sunshine" and don't mean cirrus, but to genuinely
reduced visibility.

A new form of words is needed to describe reduced insolation resulting from
thin high cloud. Any suggestions?

Incidentally, on my gliding site, I use the term "thin top cover" to imply
that reduced sun will affect thermals, but this is hardly appropriate
terminology for Joe Public

Jack


Nowadays I often hear people referring to the "weather" as being hazy
when it most certainly is not.

Today, for example, in the Midlands the sky has the typical summer
warm sector look, there is a milkiness to the blue sky that is brought
about by the high humidity, though the horizontal visibility is quite
good. People; including, to my consternation, my own family; will
often refer to these conditions as "hazy".

JPG

"TudorHgh" wrote in message
...
Glad someone other than me has raised this point, which is one of
my pet
hates.
The term that "the grown-ups" used in my childhood was "watery
sunshine", or "a milky sky", and I have used it ever since when talking
non-technically. It would be acceptable for presenters to use. As you
say,
Jack, it is most definitely not haze, which reduces visibility and gives a
brownish-yellow tinge to everything. The persistent misuse of the term
over
the last 10 years or so now means that many members of the public have
lost the
distinction as well, or are confused. This probably wouldn't have
happened if
we still had fully-fledged meteorologists doing the presentation, but many
of
the present lot, especially the female ones, have little feeling for the
weather. I feel it's time to gently educate the public rather than pander
to
their (often wrongly)-assumed ignorance.

If I may play devil's advocate for a moment. The word 'hazy' does not
appear in the Met Office's "Observer's Handbook", nor is there an entry
in the "Meteorological Glossary" or the American Meteorological
Society's "Glossary of Meteorology". It does, however, appear in all
English dictionaries. Dislike the expression 'hazy sunshine' - as I do -
by all means, but don't jump on a high horse and claim it's incorrect
usage when it manifestly is not. To suggest that you should not use
'hazy' as an adjective because 'haze' is not involved, and then say
that you'd much prefer 'watery' or 'milky' is actually quite funny.

Philip Eden

Don't think the general public (95% ) would give a damn Jack

Trevor




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"WasTA" wrote in message
...
Don't think the general public (95% ) would give a damn Jack

Sure they wouldn't but I still want to be able to differentiate between hazy
sunshine meaning high cloud and hazy sunshine meaning reduced visibility.
The present loose terminology does not permit that differentiation.

PE doesn't use that expression and he sets the standard for broadcasters.

Jack