Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Hawaii braces for Tropical Storm Lala, rare landfall possible. Click for the forecast. Chevron right
Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Atlantic. Click to see where it is heading. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

84°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

84°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
Get Premium+
Create Your Account Unlock extended daily and hourly forecasts — all with your free account.
Let's Go Chevron right
Have an account already? Log In
settings
Help
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly 10-Day Radar MinuteCast® Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

Top Stories Severe Weather Hurricane Center Astronomy Heat Alert Climate Recreation Trending Today Health In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Flood Watch

News / Weather News

From Fahrenheit to Celsius: Should US Convert?

By newsstory

Published Sep 20, 2013 8:32 PM EDT | Updated Sep 25, 2013 4:52 AM EDT

Copied

The United States is the only major industrialized country in the world that does not use the Celsius scale and the metric system as its predominant system of measurement, according to a report released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. 

"One of the strengths of the SI, International System of Units, commonly known as the metric system, is its simplicity and ease of use," according to NIST Metric Conversion Subject Matter Expert Elizabeth Gentry.

One of the factors that makes the Celsius scale seemingly easier to use is that most of the common temperature reference points are simpler when converted to Celsius.

"I can completely understand why Celsius is so much easier, mainly because the key temperature points are so much easier to remember," Accuweather Expert Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

For people that find it easier to actually calculate the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius, there is a relatively simple formula. You take the degree Fahrenheit that you want to convert, subtract 32, then multiply by 5/9.

Since the role of foreign trade and communication is becoming increasingly more important in the United States, it is necessary to maximize efficiency between countries. This includes matching the measurement system in the U.S. to the system used in the vast majority of other countries. 

"It will be beneficial to us [to use Celsius] since we interact with the world so much now," said Anderson. There have been multiple attempts made to convert the United States over to the metric system in the past.

RELATED:

SI Units: Temperature Scale Explained
Becoming Familiar With the Metric System
Brett Anderson's Canada Weather Blog

Congress passed the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 in order to increase the use of the metric system in the United States. However, this Act called for a process of voluntary conversion, meaning that it is at the discretion of the American public to convert to the metric system.

"Because the U.S. Congress determined that metric system use would be voluntary, we anticipate the transition process to continue gradually, punctuated by increased use as consumers build familiarity with SI measurements," Gentry said.

A common misconception is that it would be too hard for the American public to switch to the metric system since they are so familiar with the current system of measurement.

"No one wants to change," said Anderson. "It's kind of like growing pains- there will be the initial pain and fear of learning something new, but it would make many lives easier down the line."

There are many options available that can help increase familiarity with using metric temperature measurements.

Many online sources are now offering "dual" unit options, which offer temperature information in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. This is one way to help people familiarize themselves with the metric system because they are able to directly compare Celsius to the customary temperature scale used in the United States.

These dual unit options have been increasing in popularity, specifically in sites that deal with travel and tourism. It is important that American citizens are able to understand the weather conditions in other countries that they are traveling to that use the Celsius scale.

"Weather and climate can impact everything from the clothing a tourist packs, the outdoor activities they engage in, to the businesses that benefit when unseasonable weather drives tourists inside," Gentry said.

Despite the fact that it seems to make more sense to covert to the Celsius scale, many people are set in their ways.

"I don't see myself changing any time soon," said Anderson.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather Forecasts

Fall forecast 2026: Summer warmth may linger as El Niño intensifies

Aug. 11, 2026
Astronomy

Photos: Total solar eclipse captured over Spain, Iceland, Portugal

Aug. 12, 2026
Weather News

Buildings collapse following powerful earthquake in Colombia

Aug. 11, 2026
Hurricane

Tropics showing signs of life in the Atlantic

Aug. 11, 2026
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

Top Stories

Severe Weather

Hurricane Center

Astronomy

Heat Alert

Climate

Recreation

Trending Today

Health

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Hurricane

Lala may become 1st hurricane to make landfall on Hawaii’s Big Island

1 hour ago

Climate

July’s record heat is the latest sign of a hotter US climate

22 hours ago

Severe Weather

Rounds of severe storms, flooding to impact Midwest, Northeast

15 minutes ago

Hurricane

Tropical Storm Lala: Hawaii prepares for dangerous surf, flooding rain

33 minutes ago

Weather News

Waterspout tears across same beach two times in a week

4 minutes ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Weather News

How deadly is quicksand, really? And how can you escape?

23 hours ago

Recreation

Bald eagle Jackie dies after more than 3 weeks of intensive care

2 days ago

Recreation

Shark pulls lifeguard underwater at Maine state park

2 days ago

Astronomy

Stunning images reveal ‘whirlpools’ swirling across the sun

1 day ago

Climate

How extreme heat could affect your grocery bill

2 days ago

AccuWeather Weather News From Fahrenheit to Celsius: Should US Convert?
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy™ About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2026 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information | Data Sources

...

...

...