@Ken Anderson Had they done that, an uproar claiming "male chauvinism" likely would have resulted. Frank
No way you're dense. It may be seen as an odd practice and takes some getting used to. It goes back to the mid-50s when the institute then in charge of the weather forecast started naming high and low pressure areas that way. Why they were not content with numbers escapes me. I guess @Bess Barber is right that it may give them some personality. After some complaints, so I assume, in the late 90s low pressure areas have been given male and female names interchangeably. Since 2002 everybody can become a sponsor and see their own name as the name of a low or high pressure area on prime time TV. The money is used to fund the training of students of meteorology.
Thomas--as far as I know, a high-pressure system pushing through means we'll have clear skies and nice weather; a low usually means cloudy, rain or snow. Seems like the TV weatherman is predicting a high or a low pressure system several times a week. Since these are fairly frequent, to name them all would be a challenge. So I assume that the terms are not used in the same way where you are, but are major storm designations?
@Ken Anderson Maybe you could donate your way into the weather center saying "It's a perfectly wonderful Ken Day". BTW: Ken in Hebrew means 'Yes'.
@Bess Barber @Ken Anderson Ken | Definition of Ken by Merriam-Webster transitive verb. 1 archaic : see. 2 chiefly dialectal : recognize. 3 chiefly Scotland : know. The Scottish meaning I have heard often. Frank
@Frank Sanoica (aka: Birthday Boy) I t isn't the hebrew meaning of the name, it's the actual word for Yes. Like 'Lo' is the word for No.
It is a challenge but apparently a very acceptable one. Sure, they can also be major storm designations as you say. But, above all, the names are used to tell current low and high pressure areas apart. There are weather forecasts of different types and lengths. But very often, the presenter starts their forecast with an overview of Europe to explain the major influences on our weather by showing maps like these two. In the second pic the names are used. In fact, the presenter shows the distribution and movement of those high and low pressure areas on a daily basis. Over the year about 50 -60 high pressure areas and ca. 150 low pressure areas are named. Since high pressure areas stay longer on a weather map, they cost $335 each and low pressure areas $223. For this year all high and low pressure areas have already been allotted. Sponsors just wait for their appearance.
@Thomas Stearn -- Interesting. I guess our meteorologists don't give the typical highs and lows much focus unless they have reached major storm proportions. They are mentioned when the guy is pointing at the swirls on the weather map and making his questionable forecast, but that's the extent of it. I'd hate to have to keep up with a bunch of pointless names!! Thanks for the explanation.
I wonder if they will ban Superman...Wonderwoman, Supergirl, Ironman, Spiderman... I am in fear for the Marvel and DC Universe.