Should naming storms be limited to hurricanes only?

1. 76

   JimTxMillerposted 11 years ago

   Should naming storms be limited to hurricanes only?
   
   The Weather Channel has created a storm of controversy by naming storms other than hurricanes, such as yesterday's blizzard across New England dubbed "Nemo." The thinking is that naming major storms will help people track storms via social media. Traditionalists, including many if not most accredited meteorologists, apparently are aghast at naming any storms other than hurricanes.
   
   

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2. 68

   bizarrett81posted 11 years ago

   I think it is kind of ridiuclous.  Its not like we have "blizzard season".  Its just winter, and if we start naming snow storm, where do we stop? Why can't they just say "The Blizzard"? I'm pretty sure I won't get it confused with any other one, seeing as I can't even see out some of my windows...

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3. 0

   scottcgruberposted 11 years ago

   I have no problem with the naming of significant winter storms - it's a convenient way to track and discuss storm systems. And a nor'easter essentially IS an extra-tropical hurricane - a rotating low-pressure system producing high winds and precipitation.
   
   And I'd much rather have named storms than refer to them as "The Storm of the Century" or "The Great North American Blizzard of 2006" or "Snowpocalypse."
   
   However, I don't think that The Weather Channel should be the sole arbiter of storm names. This should be standardized by the World Meteorological Organization, the same way as cyclone names. Otherwise, it's just a matter of time before someone sees a marketing opportunity and we have Winter Storm Coca-Cola and Winter Storm GEICO.

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   1. 76

      JimTxMillerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmmm, I wonder what it would set me back to get a twister named AnniePie???

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4. 92

   LongTimeMotherposted 11 years ago

   I name every severe storm that comes over my house. All the names sound very similar and none of them are particularly pleasant.
   If the Weather Channel people can come up with a cutesy name like Nemo they are obviously not watching their apples being torn from the trees or their tomatoes being hammered into the ground ... or their roof being lifted or their car crushed by a tree as happens to some unfortunate people in savage storms.
   Good thing I don't work for the Weather Channel.

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   1. 76

      JimTxMillerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So, you talk to the weather gods, too!

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5. 60

   xstaticposted 11 years ago

   I was surprised they did that and I think it is a slly idea. Hurricanes have had names as long as I can remember, but a storm that dumps around three feet of snow needs no name, especailly one like Nemo. It spells cold and dark and misery for millions of people already.

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