So, Mr Metofficeman......

[10ClarionSt]

....why do storms have names these days?
Well, basically it's because everyone out there is as thick as pig tihs. The public just think that there is wind, rain, hail, snow, flooding etc. But it's not as simple as that. These storms are really nice, cuddly things, with lovable names to give the impression that things aren't as bad they actually are. I know there are people out there who don't really appreciate the value of giving a name to a storm, people in the Severn Valley for instance but they will eventually see the publicity value of it and learn to like the Met Office stance on this. It really is important that people understand where we're coming from. Or at least the weather. I think. Innit?

[Zacs-Master]

Giving them names makes people take more notice. It’s also useful for insurance claims.

[Old_Geezer]

They've been given names for ages.
Gotta identify and refer to them somehow.
Even stars and constellations get named.

[aelmpvw]

i've already forgotten the name of the one before jorge ...

[bhg481]

It's also useful for people eg, Met Office, to refer back to them. This is why all army/police etc operations/exercises are given names.

[10ClarionSt]

So what did people do about insurance claims before they started naming storms? Did they not have clocks and calendars? I don't think anyone would have missed anything with the weather just recently. What's to notice about naming a storm? The Met Office, perhaps?

[Old_Geezer]

Did we have insurance back that far ?

[10ClarionSt]

Totally unnecessary in my opinion. There's no comparison with police/army/constellations. It's just weather! Innit?!

[fiction-factory]

It's interesting to see what some people get wound up about. It seems like a nonsense conspiracy theory to me but I can also see it's good to get these things off your chest sometimes. Maybe raise it in the pub tonight.

[douglas9401]

Is there no option for storms to self identify as merely inclement?

[anneasquith]

Are storms male ?

[emmie]

not all no...

[10ClarionSt]

I don't do pubs ff. And I aint wound up. I'm a s-m-o-o-t-h, c-i-h-l-l-e-d kid. I don't drink alcohol either. Good innit! I just love this website! :o)

[Ken4155]

OG; we only began naming storms in 2014. Not exactly ages, is it?

[gingejbee]

Why has the OP singled out the Met Office? It's a joint effort with the Irish and Dutch weather services.
And, many other parts of the world name storms, too...it's a convenient way of referring to them. Simple.

[10ClarionSt]

It's interesting to see peoples' perception of the posts on this site. ff thinks I'm wound up because I'm just trying to take piddle out of the Met office. Love it!

[fiction-factory]

Do they alternate make and female. It's just that the Spanish jorje nipped in before we could announce Ellen

[10ClarionSt]

Because it's always a Met Office spokesman that gives the statements on the radio, that's why the Met Office, gingebee.

[fiction-factory]

Ah - you were just winding some of us up and didn't mean what you said.

[bhg481]

Does it not bother you that the council name all their lampposts and road signs, even though it's of no interest to you?

[10ClarionSt]

I didn't say anything, ff. I typed it. Honest.