The calm before the storm

We are here in our Sharon apartment, with enough food to feed the entire community, waiting for the arrival of the storm that the news reports are calling “Nemo.”

For as long as I can remember, names were given to hurricanes. But you might be wondering, as we were, when they started giving names to winter storms. And through the wonders of the internet, I was quickly able to learn about this.

The Weather Channel page (www.weather.com) explains

During the upcoming 2012-13 winter season The Weather Channel will name noteworthy winter storms. Our goal is to better communicate the threat and the timing of the significant impacts that accompany these events. The fact is, a storm with a name is easier to follow, which will mean fewer surprises and more preparation.

It goes on to say

Naming Winter Storms

Hurricanes and tropical storms have been given names since the 1940s. In the late 1800s, tropical systems near Australia were named as well. Weather systems, including winter storms, have been named in Europe since the 1950s. Important dividends have resulted from attaching names to these storms:

·   Naming a storm raises awareness.

·   Attaching a name makes it much easier to follow a weather system’s progress.

·   A storm with a name takes on a personality all its own, which adds to awareness.

·   In today’s social media world, a name makes it much easier to reference in communication.

·   A named storm is easier to remember and refer to in the future.

You can find the entire piece at

http://www.weather.com/news/why-we-name-winter-storms-20121001

They also provide information on each name, noting that

Nemo is a Greek boy’s name meaning "from the valley," means "nobody" in Latin.

I don’t think this storm is coming from a valley, and I can certainly say that no one is treating Nemo as a “nobody.” He is very much somebody who is making his presence felt in no uncertain terms!

This whole thing is rather scary. I have charged all my portable oxygen equipment, and have my large emergency tank handy. Our apartment is going to get very cold very quickly if we should lose power. But we have not lost our sense of humor, and we had to chuckle when we heard Boston Mayor Menino at a press conference talk about declaring a “pocking emergency.” What is a “pocking emergency?” asked one of the reporters, evidently not a native of Boston, where you “pock” your “cah.” When we first moved to Sharon in 1986, I was so impressed how even the local newscasters sounded like the Kennedys!

What more can I say? If you are in the path of Nemo, do your best to stay warm and safe!

Love,

Rebecca