The Weather Channel released its winter storm names for the 2015-2016 season. It's the fourth annual list of names that will be attached to storms this winter.
"It's simply easier to communicate about a complex storm if it has a name, which our naming program has demonstrated," said Bryan Norcross, senior hurricane specialist at The Weather Channel and compiler of the list. "Good communications benefits everyone."
(AMS BLOG:Time For Weather Community Cooperation on Naming Winter Storms)
The Bozeman, Montana, High School Latin class, which provided the 2013-2014 list of winter storm names, also contributed to the 2015-2016 list. Below is the list of 26 names to be used this season, as well as background on each and a guide for names with multiple or difficult pronunciations.
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Ajax – From Greek mythology: a hero in Homer’s epic, Iliad, about the Trojan War known for his strength and courage.
Bella – The feminine form of the Latin word for beautiful. Also, coincidentally, Latin for wars. So bella bella means beautiful wars.
Cara (CAH-ruh) – From Latin, meaning beloved.
Delphi (DEL-fahy) – An ancient Greek city best known as the home of the oracle and the sanctuary of Apollo in Greek mythology.
Echo – From Greek mythology: Echo was a nymph given a speech impediment so she could only repeat what she heard.
Ferus (FAIR-us) – From Latin meaning wild or untamed.
Goliath – From the Hebrew name Golyat. Best known as Goliath of Gath in the biblical story of David and Goliath.
Hera – From Greek mythology: The perpetually jealous sister and wife of Zeus and the goddess of women and marriage.
Ilias (IL-ee-as)– Derived from the Greek name, Elias, which derives from the Hebrew name, Elijjah.
Jonas – From the Latin spelling, Ionas, of the name Jonah.
Kayla (KAY-la rhymes with say-la) – Short form of Katherine. Associated with the Greek word, katharos, meaning pure.
Lexi (LEX–ee) – Short for Alexander or Alexandra. From the Greek name, Aléxandros, meaning defender/protector of men.
Mars – From ancient Roman mythology: the god of war.
Nacio (NAH-see-oh) – Short for Ignacio, derived from the Ancient Roman name, Ignatius, related to the Latin word, ign?re, meaning to set on fire.
Olympia: An ancient Greek city. The site of the ancient athletic competitions which became known as the Olympic Games.
Petros (PEH-tros) – From Greek meaning stone. Evolved to be spelled Peter.
Quo – Latin word which generally translates in which or similar.
Regis (REE-jis) – The possessive form of the Latin word for king.
Selene (Seh-LEEN) – From Greek mythology. The goddess of the moon.
Troy – Best known as the site of the Trojan War described in the Homer’s ancient Greek epic, the Iliad.
Ursula (ERR-sel-uh) – Character name from William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, from Latin meaning little bear.
Vexo – From Latin meaning I annoy or harass.
Waylon (WAY-lun) – Derived from Wieland from German mythology: a craftsman in metal of the highest skill.
Xenos (ZEE-nos) – Greek word meaning stranger or alien.
Yolo (yo-lo) – An acronym for you only live once. The modern version of the Latin phrase, carpe diem, which is usually translated seize the day.
Zandor (zan-door) – Derived from Alexander. From the Greek name, Aléxandros, meaning defender/protector of men.
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By Laura Root
Photos courtesy of Jackson & Perkins
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