> 30% chance of rain actually means 30% of the area is projected to have rain covering it
Common misconception. The Chance of precipitation is actually stating that historically, given these conditions x% of days produced precipitation. It is a statement of the odds that it will rain at all.
That site you provide (or cite) is the only one I can find that describes it that way. Every other source describes the otherway which I still think is correct:
No, that is the simplified explanation of how the average person should think about it. We are talking about the definition and a possible way to get the odd results the OP mentioned observing.
Common misconception. The Chance of precipitation is actually stating that historically, given these conditions x% of days produced precipitation. It is a statement of the odds that it will rain at all.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/854/what-does-it-me...