More on temperatures

Because of all this goofy weather we've been having, I have been citing the temperature on this blog often lately.  I've been careful to include the "Fahrenheit" designation with my temperature observations so as not to confuse readers outside the United States, who most likely use the Celsius temperature scale.

Anybody who wishes to convert my Fahrenheit temperature observations to the equivalent Celsius readings may do so with this simple formula:

[°C] = ([°F] − 32) × ⁵⁄₉

For example, yesterday's high temperature here in Memphis was 56 degrees Fahrenheit.  To convert to Celsius, do this:

[°C] = (56 − 32) × ⁵⁄₉

[°C] = (24) × ⁵⁄<sub>9

cross-canceling, we obtain</sub>

[°C] = 8 × ⁵⁄3

[°C] = 40/3

And so, 56 degrees Fahrenheit is equal to about 13.3 degrees Celsius.

Here in the Mid South United States we enjoy a pretty temperate climate; the summertime is when we approach temperatures that some might consider extreme.  Last summer we had a day or two when the temperature in Memphis exceeded 105 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 40.5 degrees Celsius.  More often the summertime highs are in the 90s Fahrenheit, the same as 32 to 37 degrees Celsius.  In the spring and fall the temperatures here range from around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius) to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius).  This past winter was actually quite mild in terms of air temperature: I don't think the overnight low ever dropped below 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius), and I think every daytime high exceeded the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.  The coldest temperature recorded in Memphis in my lifetime is something like -6 degrees Fahrenheit, or -21.1 degrees Celsius.