Consistency

As I mentioned in a recent post, Halifax is presently subject to an Environment Canada rainfall warning. What is notable about the forecast is the lack of consistency of the volume of rain that has been predicted.

In the warning proper it is stated that "Rainfall amounts in excess of 50 millimeters are expected." In the regular Environment Canada forecast a slightly different picture is given and it is suggested that there will be "Rain at times heavy. Amount 25 mm" today.

Of course, the general inconsistency has been further been compounded by a local news outlet who happen to be claiming that rain "up to 75 millimetres [is] possible by day’s end." The best part of this story is that the only individuals quoted as sources are employees of Environment Canada.

What bothers me about all of this is that it must be easier to come up with one number than three? How can we have a national forecaster that seems to be coming up with three, seemingly, unrelated forecasts?