Dear Tom,
Cool, cold, warm and hot: Is there a temperature range that goes with these words?
Francis Philipp, Chicago
Dear Francis,
Categorizing temperature is very difficult because of individual tolerances and varying climate conditions. One person may feel hot at 85(degrees) while others thrive until readings top 100(degrees). In Chicago, a January day in the 50s would be considered warm or mild, but in July most would characterize it as cold or chilly. Most Chicago meteorologists agree that the word hot should be reserved for temperatures of at least 90(degrees), but forecasters in Phoenix might classify a 90(degrees) July day as cooler or pleasantly warm. Meteorologists probably reach the greatest consensus on this point when dealing with extreme heat or cold. Few would argue that triple-digit temperatures are not hot, or that double-digit negative readings are not bitterly cold.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
