How are winter storms names selected?
Just because a winter storm is causing serious disruption does not necessarily mean that it will be named.
Winter storms in the US are named by the National Weather Service (NWS) using a system developed by The Weather Channel. The system is based on the idea that naming winter storms will increase awareness and help with communication about potentially dangerous weather events.
The naming system was first introduced in 2012 and is based on a list of names that are assigned alphabetically. Each name is selected by a group of meteorologists at The Weather Channel who consider factors such as the storm’s expected impact and its timing. They also aim to choose names that are easy to remember and that represent the storm’s characteristics.
The EXTREME level of the Winter Storm Severity Index continues to expand across much of Minnesota with each update.
— Chris Reece (@ChrisReeceWX) February 21, 2023
To be blunt, a rare, and straight up shut down, snow storm is on the way to Minnesota. Blizzard conditions are increasingly likely, regardless of totals. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/5CeGpM28WO
The list of names for each season is predetermined and released to the public in advance, similar to how hurricane names are selected. The names are selected from a variety of sources, including mythology, historical events, and popular culture. For example, winter storm names for this winter are: Alejandra, Beck, Carli, Diaz, Elliott, just to name a few.
While the naming of winter storms is not an official practice of the NWS, it has gained some level of acceptance and recognition among the public and media. However, it is important to note that the naming of a winter storm does not indicate its severity, as storm impacts can vary widely depending on location and other factors.
A major winter storm will affect a large portion of the country this week. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain is likely across the western and northern tier portions of the United States. Extreme impacts are likely, and historic snowfall is possible near Minneapolis, MN. pic.twitter.com/28hULIrwj9
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) February 21, 2023
Winter storms are only officially named by the NWS if it fits the definition of a storm that is used all-year round. The fact that it is winter has no bearing on the name.
See also:
Blizzard alert in California: when the storm arrives and most affected areas
When was the last time a blizzard hit the Los Angeles area?
How are storms usually named?
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A storm is given a name when its winds reach more than thirty miles per hour. The World Meteorological Organization, which selects the names, upgrades the storm to a hurricane or typhoon if the winds reach more than 119 miles per hours.
Before the naming conventions, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration often used positions or latitude and longitude to communicate about storms but this becomes very confusing when there is more than one present in a specific area at a time.