Post by Tringa on Nov 16, 2015 19:51:53 GMT
A few days ago there was the first storm in the UK to be named. Abigail (or should that be Abigale) caused some disruption in the Western Isles. As I mentioned in the 'What is your weather like today' thread, in this bit of the north west mainland it was less severe than forecast, but sometimes that happens.
Today has been (and still is) really windy. The steady wind seems at least as strong as Abigail but it is much more gusty.
Having heard the second storm (Barney) had been named I thought, OK, so this is Barney. However, I've just read on a page dated today of the Met Office site that says -
"Storm Barney is expected to be a fast moving storm system bringing a few hours of severe gales to southern parts of Britain later tomorrow afternoon and evening."
The gales we are having now appear not to warrant a name.
The Met Office says, about naming storms -
"We have seen how naming storms elsewhere in the world raises awareness of severe weather before it strikes. We hope that naming storms in line with the official severe weather warnings here will do the same and ensure everyone can keep themselves, their property and businesses safe and protected at times of severe weather."
If naming focuses people's attention it is a good idea, but isn't there a risk that if a storm isn't named some people may not take it seriously? Does anyone know if there are criteria for naming a storm, eg a storm gets a name if the pressure in the low is less than x millibars, or if the expected steady wind (or gusts) is(are) greater than x mph?
As a bloke I spoke to in Ullapool yesterday said, "Its not the winds they tell you about that are the problem, its the ones they don't"
Dave
Today has been (and still is) really windy. The steady wind seems at least as strong as Abigail but it is much more gusty.
Having heard the second storm (Barney) had been named I thought, OK, so this is Barney. However, I've just read on a page dated today of the Met Office site that says -
"Storm Barney is expected to be a fast moving storm system bringing a few hours of severe gales to southern parts of Britain later tomorrow afternoon and evening."
The gales we are having now appear not to warrant a name.
The Met Office says, about naming storms -
"We have seen how naming storms elsewhere in the world raises awareness of severe weather before it strikes. We hope that naming storms in line with the official severe weather warnings here will do the same and ensure everyone can keep themselves, their property and businesses safe and protected at times of severe weather."
If naming focuses people's attention it is a good idea, but isn't there a risk that if a storm isn't named some people may not take it seriously? Does anyone know if there are criteria for naming a storm, eg a storm gets a name if the pressure in the low is less than x millibars, or if the expected steady wind (or gusts) is(are) greater than x mph?
As a bloke I spoke to in Ullapool yesterday said, "Its not the winds they tell you about that are the problem, its the ones they don't"
Dave
