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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Elm Street fire in Medford burns house, garage ... Demobilization ceremony honors Oregon National Guard soldiers' sacrifice ... Randall's 'Chicago' ambitious undertaking ... Elm Street fire in Medford burns house, garage ... Demobilization ceremony honors Oregon National Guard soldiers' sacrifice ... Randall's 'Chicago' ambitious undertaking ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Why is the temperature on the National Weather Service website only updated hourly? MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> I was wondering why the National Weather Service website only updates temperatures once per hour? — Pam T., via email   As we're sure you're aware, Pam, there are devices that can measure the temperature in real time. These so-called "thermometers" can be purchased over the counter without a prescription, and they actually work pretty well. As to why the National Weather Service updates temperatures and conditions hourly — as opposed to updates on the minute or second — it has to do with airplanes and the people who fly them.  “The observation is geared for pilots," says National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Sandler. "If the weather doesn’t change what we consider significantly, once an hour is good for them.” The temperature is typically updated at 53 minutes into the hour (9:53, 10:53, etc). That said, weather officials can make special updates when the conditions change enough to be of note for aircraft. The morning of Wednesday, Aug. 5, is a perfect example. During that time, visibility and smoke levels from nearby wildfires kept fluctuating. So observations — plus temperatures — were updated at 8:53, 9:01, 9:17 and 9:24, Sandler said.  “(But) in general, it’s once an hour," Sandler said. "That’s been standard since those stations went in.”  Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 6, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501