I see in today’s news that “Winter Storm Gandolf” will blow
through a broad swath of the northern and central Rockies. Gandolf. Come on, they can’t even spell Gandalf
correctly.
I am sad that a time-honored tradition has been rubbed-out by the National Weather
Service. Do you remember the “Big Blow
of ‘62” or the "Two-Week Blizzard of ’53” or the “Deluge of ‘72”? Those names conjure vivid images for those who experienced them - not just scientific facts but also one’s own
experience and feelings. “Winter Storm
John” leaves one blankly staring. The
storm has become an abstract piece of data.
(“I hear that one of this year’s
Winter Storms will be named Sandy.
Ho-hum.”)
Besides, why waste a name on a storm that may not
materialize? (Remember the “No-Blow of ’95”?)
January 10, 2013
(*with thanks to my
friend the Vicar of Dibley)
