Weather Channel TV Network Reveals 2023-24 Winter Storm Names

While fall has just officially begun, The Weather Channel television network is getting ready for what’s expected to be an active winter storm season, releasing its annual list of winter storm names. Winter storms can develop as early as October in some regions, so each year, The Weather Channel television network announces winter storm names ahead of the official start of winter in preparation for potential severe winter weather events.

The 2023-24 winter storm names include an assortment of names from A to Z:

Winter storms are known for brutal, frigid temperatures that freeze and burst pipes, snow and ice that create dangerous driving conditions and can impede power sources, as well as strong winds. And as with any type of weather system, multiple winter storms can be developing simultaneously, so the use of winter storm names allows The Weather Channel television network’s meteorologists to differentiate storm systems and delineate each system’s potential impact.

The Weather Channel says that as these storms move through various regions, “viewers can track them by name in order to make informed decisions for their families and property. Naming storms raises awareness of the impending hazards and makes it easier to monitor the storm’s progress and forecasts, especially on various social media platforms.”

Dr. Matt Sitkowski, science editor in chief at The Weather Channel television network, said: “This winter, the strength and persistence of El Niño, a large area of warm water over the equatorial Pacific Ocean, will be an important factor in weather across the country, but it is not the only one, and in recent El Niño winters there have been a variety of outcomes. That said, one feature that does seem to consistently show up during El Niño winters is an energized subtropical jet stream, which can help fuel winter storms and even trigger severe thunderstorms when conditions are warm enough.”

Winter storms are named based on either meeting — or the expectation to meet — at least one of the following criteria:

• NWS winter storm, blizzard, or ice storm warnings covering at least a population of 2 million.
• NWS winter storm, blizzard, or ice storm warnings covering at least an area of 400,000 square kilometers, or slightly larger than the state of Montana.

Winter storm names exclude any current Atlantic and eastern Pacific hurricane names on the National Hurricane Center lists for the next six years, and any retired hurricane names.