A Very Short Walk

I usually look at the weather on my phone in the evening, so I know what to expect when I wake up. I must have dismissed it as inconsequential, because the chance of rain was 15%. That’s really low, if you consider the chance of no rain would be 85%. I did not check the screen before going out, because I was two minutes late. I blame the clock for that. For some reason it quit working in the middle of the night, and I planned to quit playing a game when the clock chimed 8:00. I stepped out confidently, knowing it shouldn’t rain on me according to last night’s forecast. Goodness! The sky was completely overcast, but I walked up the street. Mist was hitting my face at the top of the street. Going toward the first little stream, I felt the moisture was a bit more than a mist.

I wasn’t cold, but my sweatshirt was not going to repel heavy mist. I turned back, even though the percentage was still only 15%. Yes, I had stopped and checked. Normally, when you change course, the clouds notice and quit spitting. This time the mist continued. I came to a shocking conclusion that I had never thought of before. That figure of 15% really meant the moisture hitting me was at a low rate. Then 50% must mean sprinkling steadily, and 100% would be very heavy rain. If I had worn a water-repellent jacket, I would not have had this amazing revelation. It took me 32 years of walking six days a week to come face to face with this life-changing mathematical fact.

15 thoughts on “A Very Short Walk”

  1. I check the all-news station weather forecast in the a.m. before going out, ALSO two TV meteorologists on YouTube, MSN weather and Accuweather the night before and I’m here to tell you sometimes none of them get it right!!

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