Zenj, don't overthink it. If it says "moderate to severe" then it's moderate to severe!
Beware of people trying to reinvent aviation with some fancy personal interpretations.
If you know the rule and want to deviate, to be more conservative, fine.
But then don't tell other people the rule IS the way you see it.
Btw, check your Private Messages, I'd like to ask you something about an old Tanzanian friend...