Bank thermometers- they are something that I absolutely hate during the summer months. I often have friends and family tell me, “wow I saw the temperature was 109 degrees this afternoon” .. When truly it wasn’t that hot. So what makes bank thermometers so inaccurate?
First, it depends on what kind of sign you see. The LED style sign, which is more common, often has its own clock and sensor built in. Depending on where the sensor is mounted, it can be VERY inaccurate. It’s no surprise that a thermometer placed in the middle of a parking lot in the heat of the sun will register much higher than in a shaded area.
Meanwhile, the TV monitor style sign can get their content from a subscription service, which means the temperature reading may not be accurate to that exact location. The temperature may very well be correct, but the authorized airport could be miles away from where you are. Also, that information may have a time lag and can be affected by slow updating or internet service interruptions.
So, next time you see a bank thermometer blinking an incredibly hot temperature, just remember, it may not actually be correct!
