The Born Loser by Art and Chip Sansom for December 07, 2019

No.

Sure. They mean exactly the same thing with regard to the amount of cloud cover. But “Partly Sunny” can only be used during the daytime (for obvious reasons), while “Partly Cloudy” is quite often used only at night.

So the only way it could “change” from “Partly Sunny” to “Partly Cloudy” is at sunset. Normally you would only hear something like changing from “Partly Sunny” to “Mostly cloudy”, for example, where the amount of cloud cover is changing.

Partly cloudy is the same as mostly sunny (in the day time). Partly sunny is the same as mostly cloudy. Is it half full or half empty? Less then 1/2 = partly; more then 1/2 = mostly.

What I have found interesting is how to some extent these terms are “localized”.

When in California “partly cloudy” means that you can see a cloud somewhere in the sky.

When in Wisconsin “partly cloudy” means you can see the sun somewhere in the sky.

:-)

“Partly sunny” and “partly cloudy” mean the same thing. They are interchangeable during the daytime. At night, obviously, you could only use one of them.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a meteorologist use “partly sunny”… but “partially cloudy” yes…

I have heard the explanation on the news but here it is, they are actually the same because it means that there is between 3/8-5/8 coverage by clouds or sun. I suppose that it depends on the weather forecaster and which side of half that they think it will be on.

I think it’s time for a gin & tonic…..

Sure… partly cloudy means more sun than clouds; partly sunny means more clouds than sun. duh. …but I’m still not sure I know what “Fair” means.

I’m still working on if I have ever heard the word “partly” outside of a weather forecast. Partly my fault, I guess.

My best guess, Partly sunny is when clouds give way to sun, partly cloudy is when sun is taken over by clouds.

I’m still working on if I have ever heard the word “partly” outside of a weather forecast. Partly my fault, I guess.

My best guess, Partly sunny is when clouds clear up and give way to sun, partly cloudy is when a sunny sky gives way to clouds.

Weather-wise, it means the same thing as mentioned above, as far as proper English grammar goes, maybe not so much.

Partly. I thought it was “paltry”.

The difference is three letters and add a d.

well….partly

Good question.. the one I wonder about are those xx% precipitation forecasts. At 40% chance of rain does that mean it will rain 40% of the time… on 40% of the listening area? A 40% chance that they are right that it might rain.. sometime. I know it is an inexact science.. but when it is a sure thing.. raining for the last number of hours and the forecast still reads 80% instead of 100.. you have to wonder if these weather forecasters have windows in their office.

Yes, I can.

According to NWS, partly cloudy and partly sunny mean the same thing: between 3/8 and 5/8 of the sky is covered by clouds. Partly sunny is used only during the day, which certainly makes sense.

Partly cloudy is what a optimist says. Partly sunny is what a pessimist says.

I think we’re not getting actual usage here, I once heard a meteorologist explain to the anchor who asked the same question - “You don’t have ‘partly sunny’ at night.”

Rumor has it, that “partly sunny,” refers to daytime weather, while “partly cloudy,” refers to night…?

I’m fairly sure this is the 3rd time this joke has been used in this strip.