Hang on while we load the rest of the page...
 
 
breaking news
Local Voices
Former U.S. Navy, Engineer, Researcher, Publisher.

Weather Channel Begins Naming Winter Storms

The Weather Channel announced Tuesday it will begin naming winter storms. 

I will make a prediction this will last one, maybe two winter seasons. 

State College, PA based AccuWeather, tells me via Twitter: "@ThreatcoreNews We have explored this issue for 20 years and have decided that this is not good science."

What is your opinion on this?  Do we really want a name for every storm?  I think not.  A winter season such as 2010, would result in name after name.  This new naming idea by TWC, uncoupled from the National Weather Service, has the tendency to bring nothing more than increased confusion.

Imagine the disconnect if one broadcast outlet names a storm, and others do not?  What about the dynamics of a true winter storm when the criteria no longer meets the naming system?  Drop the name and give a new one when it bombs out in the Northeast?  

Recall the October snowstorm of 2011.  It was modeled days in advance.  The European model ECMWF model nailed it from 7 days out.  American models missed the storm and it was disregarded and non-reported.  When the storm hit, Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel stood there saying how the storm came out of nowhere.

Winter storms are too dynamic to try and play the name game.  We survived this long without winter storm names. 

Is the naming system a way to get ratings, or an attempt to save lives?

Dr Steven Greene

10:03 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

It would seem to be, as you allude to, a media tactic, but if it can raise awareness of a danger it may be worth it. Sometimes people underestimate the danger in these storms....

Reply

Dot

2:53 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

I can see where this may be helpful to differentiate between "this" storm that's on its way out of the area from "that" storm that is coming on its heels. I don't understand why they couldn't come up with an actual name rather than naming one "Q" after a NY subway stop! What?!

Reply

Dr Steven Greene

4:15 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Do they have a preset list of names?

Reply

Leave a comment

 
 
 

Your town. Mobilized.

Download Patch for iPhone or Patch Places for Android.

Learn more 

Own a local business?

Stay in touch with customers by claiming your free Patch listing.

Learn more 

Advertise on Patch

Build community trust in your local brand with game-changing tools for any budget.

Learn how