To be fair Neil the US meteorological establishment didn't name this storm - they don't name winter storms in the US. It was more a media thing (i.e. TWC). At least that's what the Fox News Weather Anchor said over the weekend... 

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I acknowledge who was responsible for the name Ben, but that is the gist of my argument. From Joe Public's POV it is Storm Jonas because that's what they've read and heard and spoken about in the shopping malls and gun ranges across the Eastern Seaboard. So now the misinformed of Britain are asking when Storm Jonas is going to hit, with all the subsequent explanations about lack of snow, etc, ongoing. Then tomorrow the papers and media start talking about Storm Henry and Mr Joe Confused has every right to be totally screwed.

Leave Names To Hurricanes is going to be my new campaign slogan

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http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast 

UK Outlook for Saturday 30 Jan 2016 to Monday 8 Feb 2016:

On Saturday 30th there is likely to be an area of rain for a time across southern areas with brighter, colder, showery weather following across northern and central parts. These showers will be wintry at times, especially across Scotland. Then the latest indications are that another frontal system will arrive from the west at some point during Sunday, bringing further rain and a return to milder conditions. Thereafter it looks likely to remain changeable and often unsettled with various depressions running in from the Atlantic, bringing further bands of rain interspersed by colder, showery conditions. Most areas will often be windy and gales are likely at times. Overall the temperature should be near or above average, though brief overnight frost and fog is still possible between frontal systems.

UK Outlook for Tuesday 9 Feb 2016 to Tuesday 23 Feb 2016:

In general the first half of February looks likely to remain changeable with unsettled, milder spells interspersed with colder, showery interludes. The windiest and most unsettled weather is likely to occur in the north and northwest while the south and southeast should see somewhat drier conditions overall, though even here some rain and strong winds are likely at times. Despite relatively mild conditions prevailing some overnight frost and fog is quite probable in any quieter intervals. As we move into the second half of February there are signs that pressure may build in the mid Atlantic bringing a more north to northwesterly airflow to the British Isles, thus increasing the risk of colder conditions developing.

At least the mid atlantic ridge must be still showing up on their models for mid month, so the hope remains. That's all we can cling to for the moment

 

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why cant we just number them?  

 

 

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And as soon as it crosses the North Sea it will get two more names; from the Germans and the Scandinavians ....

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I received a text from my sister in Bangkok... The max temp there today was just 21C. For the Thai capital that really is bitterly cold.

I notice that Hanoi has been in single figures too. 

 

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Here's a local report

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/1903980/big-chill-way-sorry-hong-kong-its-too-warm-snow

 

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The currently-showing MetO website suggests it should be Gertrude, with Henry still to come (?)

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/uk-storm-centre

and if it begins with J, then Jake. But it was certainly Jonas on the BBC weather last night.

 

So the chaotic naming hasn't helped the cause of naming storms. I think the principle is still a good one, to fix storms in the public memory, but someone needs to pick the system up and give it a good shaking.

1. All European agencies need to agree the same list of names


2. It's quite acceptable for a change of name as storms cross the Atlantic - it helps to make the point that the nature of the storm has changed in its travels (I look forward to the first transgender storm as trangenderism is very much a social happening these days)

 

 

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Naming storms was only ever a media gimmic anyway. I can see the idiots drooling over using hashtags to get twitter profile which leads to the back to the met. Its a pointless and stupid idea, and adds nothing, other than to give the impression of the weather being more extreme than it really is. Just by naming a storm its been marked out as special.

 

Yes the BBC made a mistake in picking up on a name created by the US media that wasn't officially being used in the States, so a rod for their own back if they chose to rename it and confuse people further.

Ironic to think that the original naming of TDs and hurricanes in the Atlantic was started so as to avoid confusion for maritime interests when several storms were in existence at the same time...

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There was no agenda, honestly! If you read back, you'll see my posts just evolved out of the talk at the time. There doesn't have to be an agenda just because I posted something that wasn't agreed with.  I've stopped pursuing this point. What a reaction- you'll all be calling me Marilyn next.

I have answered purely because I think it's fair that I respond to this thing about agendas.

 

 

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I also heard that there was snow in Taiwan. I understand there was snow in Taipei city!? and Vietnam as well - We could always head there! Haha the way things are going looks like there will be a greater chance of snow in Florida or Hong Kong than in England !!

 

This is an interesting article:

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/cold-spell-hits-northern-vietnam-including-hanoi

Also Bangkok was hit by the cold - temperatures plummeting some 15c below normal!!

I am not being funny but even Tel A viv was hovering around 5c today as a max. Damascus had a low of -4c today.

Let's leave the USA 2-3ft snowstorm or Canada out of the equation! AM I the only one that is noticing that even the tropical-subtropical climate gets better cold spells than we do? When have we EVER been some 10 or 15c below normal?! I mean Taiwan is an ISLAND! Makes me MAD!

This should be in the moan thread but anyway!

Here is another article:

http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201601240007.aspx

 What next? Snow in Bermuda or Canary islands?

 

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Looks like they aren't bothering naming the storm tomorrow. Perhaps it was to not confuse people; but then if there is any damage or flooding people will question why it wasn't named.

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Which was my previous argument.

This storm should really be called Henry, but already has a 'name' so Jonas will have to do.
But, do we not have a Jake on our list?

Oh dear, poor Jake when he comes along will have to be ditched and we'll go straight to Katie.

What an absolute joke lol. I have of course attempted to communicate my issue with naming storms to our Met Office but as yet have not had a reply.

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very true neil and no warnings for wind but already gusting over 60mph in wales .

My wife even called it Jonas this morning when she said it was windy and she does not care usually!

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CPF forecast updated

Colder weather to arrive in spring? find out below

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/p/o/A3_plots-temp-FMA_v1.pdf 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/p/4/A3_plots-precip-FMA_v1.pdf 

">http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/pdf/p/4/A3_plots-precip-FMA_v1.pdf