Winter Storm Naming: How Media Outlets Track Severe Cold Weather
While hurricanes have a long-established global naming system, winter storms have traditionally remained unnamed by official meteorological bodies. However, several media organizations have stepped in to fill this gap, creating their own naming conventions to help the public track, remember, and prepare for severe winter weather. From local news stations to national networks, these systems aim to simplify communication during chaotic weather events.
Local Traditions: WFSB and WLUK
In the United States, the practice of naming winter storms often began at the local level to better engage community audiences.
WFSB Channel 3 (Connecticut)
The tradition started during the winter of 1971–72 when Ken Garee, a meteorologist with the Travelers Weather Service in Hartford, began naming storms to educate WTIC television and radio audiences about how quickly these systems move. WFSB Channel 3 later adopted and expanded this practice, using diverse themes such as Connecticut towns, the children of Channel 3 staff, and the top baby names of 1957.
Currently, WFSB names a system if it is forecast to produce at least 6 inches (15 cm) of snow across most of the state, or if ice accretion reaches at least half the amount of an average ice storm. While some critics view this as a way to hype a short winter season, WFSB reports that the majority of viewers enjoy the tradition.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]WLUK Fox 11 (Wisconsin)
In the late 1980s, meteorologist John Chandik at WLUK-TV began naming storms alphabetically after communities in northeastern Wisconsin. Over time, the station shifted to using people's names because naming a storm after a specific town (such as Florence) was misleading if the heaviest snow fell in cities like Appleton or Oshkosh.
Today, WLUK typically names storms forecast to produce over 5 inches (13 cm) of snow in their viewing area, or major ice storms that threaten power outages and driving safety. Like the Connecticut model, the reaction has been mixed, with some communities feeling a sense of pride and others disliking the scheme.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Weather Channel's National Approach
The shift toward national winter storm naming was catalyzed by the "Snowtober" nor'easter of 2011. The nickname, which trended on social media, prompted The Weather Channel (TWC) to realize that hashtags were essential for filtering information on platforms like Twitter.
In October 2012, TWC announced that three senior meteorologists would proactively name noteworthy storms using a list of 26 Roman and Greek names. TWC argued that this would increase awareness and improve public planning and preparedness.
Scientific Controversy and the NWS
The initiative was not without critics. Joel Myers, founder and president of Accuweather, argued that TWC had confused "media spin with science and public safety," claiming that winter storms differ fundamentally from hurricanes and that naming them was not "good science." Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) maintained its official stance that it does not name winter storms, though some local offices, such as the one in Buffalo, New York, unofficially named systems after they had passed.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Evolution of the IMPACT Tool
After the 2012–13 season—during which TWC collaborated with students from Bozeman High School in Montana to source classical Latin and Greek names—the network sought a more quantitative approach. They developed the Integrated Meteorological Population and Area Calculation Tool (IMPACT).
The IMPACT tool uses NWS thresholds for winter weather warnings and advisories to calculate the affected population and land area. For the 2013–14 season, the criteria for naming a storm were set as follows:
- Impacting over 2 million people, OR
- Covering an area of 400,000 km (150,000 mi).
Despite its unofficial status, TWC's naming system is now widely utilized by airlines, utility providers, government agencies, and news outlets to streamline communication.
Key Facts
- WFSB (CT) Threshold: 6+ inches of snow or significant ice accretion.
- WLUK (WI) Threshold: 5+ inches of snow or high-risk ice storms.
- TWC IMPACT Criteria: Affects 2 million+ people or 400,000+ sq km.
- Official Status: The National Weather Service (NWS) does not officially name winter storms.
- TWC Naming Source: Collaborates with Bozeman High School for classical Latin and Greek names.
Storm Naming Summary
| Organization | Region | Primary Naming Criteria | Naming Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| WFSB Channel 3 | Connecticut | 6" snow or significant ice | Towns, baby names, staff children |
| WLUK Fox 11 | Wisconsin | 5" snow or major ice storm | Communities, then people's names |
| The Weather Channel | National (US) | 2M+ people or 400k sq km | Roman and Greek names |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the National Weather Service name winter storms?
No, the NWS does not officially name winter storms, although some local offices have occasionally done so unofficially after a storm has occurred.
What is the IMPACT tool used by The Weather Channel?
The Integrated Meteorological Population and Area Calculation Tool (IMPACT) is a quantitative method that uses NWS thresholds to determine if a storm affects enough people or land area to warrant a name.
Why do some meteorologists oppose naming winter storms?
Critics, including Accuweather's Joel Myers, argue that naming winter storms is not based on sound science and can mislead the public by treating them like hurricanes, which are meteorologically different.
How are the names for The Weather Channel's storms chosen?
TWC uses a list of 26 Roman and Greek names, developed in collaboration with Latin students at Bozeman High School in Montana.
What are the benefits of naming winter storms?
Proponents argue that naming storms makes it easier to share information on social media via hashtags, raises public awareness, and helps people plan and prepare more effectively.