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[Shinra]

So, at the start of October the Weather channel made the decision to begin naming Winter storms. The idea is that by naming the storm they have something catchy and memorable to call the event while also likening it to a hurricane, which in theory should prompt people to take the storms more seriously. Given that we've gotten swamped by a few huge blizzards in the last couple of years (the '10 hurricane that flattened the midwest comes to mind) this is probably a good idea. Critics have said that this is just a marketing ploy by the Weather channel to draw in more viewers, and while this is probably very true, making people more aware of the Weather should be a good thing, right?

Well, the first major winter storm of the season is hitting in the aftermath of Sandy, and they've named it Athena. The Blizzards are all named after mythological figures, a contrast to the more mundane naming scheme of Hurricanes, to differentiate the two. Also, probably marketing. I like it, myself. Maybe we'll see Winter Storm Eris this year. And twitter, conforming to TWC's wildest hopes and dreams, have made #athena a trending hashtag for people to spread news about the Blizzard and link back to TWC.

All this added Blizzard awareness is a great thing, right? Everybody knows the storm is coming and can see how severe it is without having to rely slavishly on terms like "a blizzard" or "a noreaster". Great job, TWC. A round of applause from everyone...

Except for the National Weather Service, who is throwing a huge goddamn hissy fit over it.

Thoughts?

[Brentai]

Every time you capitalize Blizzard I envision a horde of marauding environment artists in orc armor tearing up the eastern seaboard.

[Shinra]

it is absolutely habitual for me to capitalize blizzard now. I'm surprised I didn't replace the Zs with $s.

[Brentai]

Anyway, to answer the actual question put forth: the NWS's panty-bunching is probably due to the fact that its their responsibility, not The Weather Channel's, to communicate what the hell is happening to people quickly and clearly.  It doesn't make things any easier for them if they have to coordinate with a corporate news network to figure out what to call stuff so that people will recognize it.

I get the feeling that their reaction is akin to a group of firefighters addressing a line of volunteers with buckets.  We appreciate what you're TRYING to do, and we don't want to be rude, but please... lives are at stake here, and you're in the way.

[Shinra]

Anyway, to answer the actual question put forth: the NWS's panty-bunching is probably due to the fact that its their responsibility, not The Weather Channel's, to communicate what the hell is happening to people quickly and clearly.  It doesn't make things any easier for them if they have to coordinate with a corporate news network to figure out what to call stuff so that people will recognize it.

I get the feeling that their reaction is akin to a group of firefighters addressing a line of volunteers with buckets.  We appreciate what you're TRYING to do, and we don't want to be rude, but please... lives are at stake here, and you're in the way.

I don't know, I feel more like it's the firefighters are on foot and volunteers are offering rides to the fire, and the firefighters are getting orders to not take rides because we don't use cars in our products.

I could understand if the weather channel was deciding what was and wasn;t going to be a storm and waving people down, but giving the storm an identifiable, trendable name is useful - I mean, aren't all of TWC's naming reasons the same ones the NWS used for naming Hurricanes?