Blizzard "Nemo". Not so fast: Blizzard 2013 Live blog: Why call this storm Nemo?

[cali]

<snip>
In its explanation, the Weather Channel notes that Europe has named winter storms for years. And it says, no US government body has stepped up to tackle the task for the benefit of the public.

"There is no national center, such as the National Hurricane Center, to coordinate and communicate information on a multi-state scale to cover such big events. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction’s Hydrometeorological Prediction Center (HPC) does issue discussions and snowfall forecasts on a national scale but it does not fill the same role as the NHC in naming storms. Therefore, it would be a great benefit for a partner in the weather industry to take on the responsibility of developing a new concept."

Here's how the National Weather Service greeted the Weather Channel's first unofficially naming of a winter storm in November: "TWC has named the Nor'easter 'Athena.' The NWS does not use named winter storms in our products. Please refrain from using the term Athena in any of our products."

Local meteorologists were similarly unimpressed. "WTEN does not name "winter storms". Don't expect us to use someone else's nomenclature. Its dumb plain and simple..." wrote meteorologist Andy Gregorio of WTEN in Albany, NY.

<snip>

[FSogol]

1. I agree. I reject naming winter storms. n/t

[GodlessBiker]

5. Why?

[FSogol]

8. What is served by hyping up winter storms?

Also, we gotten along for 100s of years with out naming winter storms.
I say, follow NOAA's lead.

[GodlessBiker]

13. Then why name non-winter storms? Name both or neither.

[FSogol]

26. The other storms are named by scientific organizations who study them.

Those scientists see no reason to name winter storms. The winter storms are being named by marketing slugs at a tv channel. I'll defer to the scientists.

[LanternWaste]

16. Do you reject naming hurricanes?

Do you reject naming hurricanes? If not, what is the precise and relevant difference?

[FSogol]

25. No, that's been done since the 1950s...

(it is actually older, but they used to use letters instead of names) and is done by the World Meteorological Organization. Naming winter storms is the brainchild of marketing "experts" at the Weather Channel. The NWS is encouraging winter storms not be be named.

In an argument over this issue, I'll take the advice of NOAA over marketing clowns at a tv channel.

[Robb]

2. As long as we continue to name them after Disney characters, I'm cool with it. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

11. "Snow White" has a nice ring to it. And WS "Bambi" sounds so FRIENDLY, y'know?

"Thumper," maybe not so much.

[Robb]

12. I like "Bambi." Good name for a storm.

Seems like it's no big deal, then leaves you in tears.

[11 Bravo]

14. Better name for a stripper, but to each his own.

[KurtNYC]

3. TWC was bought in 2008 by Bain Capital, NBC Universal and Blackstone

TWC is now a hype machine -- the proverbial 'Boy who cried disaster of the Century at every drop of rain.

[cali]

4. Yep, though I'd say they "crow" disaster at every drop of rain.

Really dislike the breathless element that TWC has sowed into news weather forecasts.

I stick to Vermont Public Radio's Eye In The Sky report. It's lengthy but non-hysterical and interesting.

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. two feet of snow

[Jefferson23]

17. LOL

[Fumesucker]

7. Snowmageddon XIII

[FSogol]

9. This time it's for real!

[liberal N proud]

10. But if you don't name the storm, you don't get as much sensationalism

Hype, hype, hype!!!!!

[Go Vols]

15. This

In short, the reason why winter storm Nemo is called “winter storm Nemo” is that it appears to help drive web traffic for The Weather Channel. The current "Top news" link on Twitter for the hashtag "Nemo" links to weather.com.

http://www.forextv.com/forex-news-story/why-are-winter-storms-like-nemo-named-hint-web-traffic

[Moondog]

19. Weather.com is in the business of helping the cable channels sell

blocks of advertising minutes. Apparently they believe that "naming" snowstorms will help them in their quest to push more woody pills, soap suds, and feminine hygiene products.

[HereSince1628]

20. I check these things by spelling them backwards...this one is an OMEN!

Surely that means SOMETHING1111!!!?????///////

[libodem]

23. yes

I'm the type that could read something into it. I like woo.

[NYC Liberal]

21. Don't really care. If someone else weren't naming it I'd be making up something anyway.

We name hurricanes so who cares?

[Go Vols]

22. Naming a winter storm? Meteorologists are appalled by Nemo

BOSTON -- Meteorologists might not be sure whether the storm heading into the East Coast will drop 12 inches or 24, but they are sure about one thing – this storm is definitely, absolutely, not called Nemo.

But that’s what the Weather Channel has decided to call it, part of a policy announced in the fall in which the TV station will give names to winter storms so that people can more easily follow them.

It’s angered a few meteorologists, and has spurred a Facebook page, "STOP the Weather Channel from naming winter storms."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nemo-winter-storm-20130208,0,401412.story


I think its stupid also.Anything to make a buck though I guess.

[Demo_Chris]

24. If TWC wants to get creative they should instead...

Come up with a new Hurricane intensity scale that accounts for more than wind velocity.

Naming blizzards is silly in my opinion.