As I write this, we are in the midst of a "heat wave" which is readily driving the temperatures over 100 F during the day and not cooling below the 80's at night.
It is fascinating to me - in a removed sort of way - in the language that we use to discuss it.
Once upon a time, words like "heat dome" simply did not exist. We called things "hot" in Summer because, well, it was Summer and things were hot. It got cold in Winter as well, and we called it "cold" because, well, it was Winter."
Where we have come is that all of our weather now has traumatic names.
"Heat Dome" is one, to explain the fact that heat stays hot for days in particular locations. "Winter cyclone" is another, to explain intense cold Winter storms.
On the one hand I suppose, they are just words used to describe things. The high winds that move quickly in Southern California and cause such horrendous fires are called "Santa Ana Winds". We could just call them "Hot fast Summer Winds in Southern California", but "Santa Ana" does make them a bit more picturesque.
And yet, the words we choose for our current weather are neither clever nor picturesque, but rather blunt force trauma words, seemingly used for maximum effect.
Words mean things, and the choices of them conveys some sort of logic behind them, whether we agree with them or not. Why weather has become something of ominous terror and dread is a bit beyond me; after all, good or bad I have to live in it.
I do wonder, though, what will come next. After all, how much more terrifying can we make the weather? "Heat Thermonuclear Face of the Sun Experience", or "Icy Winds of Lingering Death"?
Or, of course, we could just continue to live through Summer and Winter as they have always been.
Yikes, TB! That's hot! And with no nighttime relief.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that sensationalism is the norm nowadays for all reporting, whether it's weather or events. It's also curious that some sort of emotional reaction is now the expected response. When I was a kid, they rarely closed school for anything. Now, it's common.
I suppose from the forecasters' perspective, devising new terms keeps the job interesting. I remember (back in the days when local TV was free), the weather guy apologizing for the boring (pretty) weather we were having. But anytime something was happening weather-wise, he would become much more animated and amusing to watch, and his entertainment value went up.
Leigh, it is one of the very lamentable issues with where we live. In that sense, I cannot wait to move on.
DeleteYou make a good point - sensationalism has much more become the norm. We are supposed by panicky and exercised about almost everything. Perhaps if we are in a state of fear, we somehow never have time to think?
When I was growing up, the closing of school was also a very rare event - although to be honest, at this point I think it has as much to do with 1) the fact that people on the whole are much less "weather smart" and likely to have bad things happen on or from the way to school (thinking of bad drivers here); or 2) schools do not want the liability.
My belief about forecaster's - to make the job really entertaining - is that we should treat them like Old Testament prophets: if they call it wrong, we stone them.
I think Leigh’s response and your answer say it all. Like you, I’m ready to move on.
DeleteEd, I welcome the day when we can talk about things rationally again.
DeleteTV stations around here love the "Polar Vortex" beginning in December. When the first snowfall arrives, snowfall mind you, there are "Teams" of three or four reporters out standing on green ground looking at the sky waiting for the first flakes......geeeez. Wet that whistle TB.....wait....uh....nowadays it's stay "hydrated".
ReplyDeleteNylon12, "Polar Vortex" is another "new word" to me. And yes, it is rather ridiculous to see reporters out in search of weather.
DeleteDoing our best to stay hydrated. It certainly does not encourage outdoor activities.
And all the storms have to have names, it seems. Like it wasn't fair to name the hurricanes/typhoons; now any storm of any intensity has to have a name, be it rain or snow.
ReplyDeleteHope you all are having fun, TB! God bless.
Linda, that is another good observation I did not list. Not sure why we do that now - it is as if we somehow need to personalize everything about nature at this point.
DeleteI think part of it is the push for the climate change narrative. When I was younger, we never heard of a heat index. Now, that this the number they use for high temps. Not the actual temperature reading but the "feels like" temp. Sensationalism. They have called some of the hurricanes as way stronger than they were, to reinforce that same narrative.
ReplyDeleteI've had bm's like that. Lots of cramps, gut rumbles and promises, and only a little "phhtttt". It's just sensationalism. ;)
STxAR - Certainly feels like there is an ulterior motive. It is rather disappointing that we can no longer discuss facts, only sensationalism.
DeleteYou are writing about something I often rant about lol...ever listen to George Carlin talk about stuff like this? Very crass, but very funny. The one that gets me the most, non-weather related, is that burglaries suddenly became home invasions. As you said, maximum impact.
ReplyDeleteThe whole idea of all these new words is to create fear porn concerning "climate change." Keep the average viewer's head turned to every detail of the weather, and they're going to think everything's new, even though these weather phenomenon have been going on throughout history. I remember when "bomb cyclone" was referred to as a "Blue Northern." A "Heat Dome" was called an "Inversion Layer;" a cold air mass that would roll in over a hot air mass, trapping the hot air and humidity underneath it. "They" have also come up with new, sinister sounding words for things like Arctic Express, Pineapple Express, Noreaster, and the like, all to strike fear into those not educated or interested in the weather. It's all theater.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Santa Ana winds, the media wants you to think these are the spawn of "climate change," but they're a natural weather phenomenon that's been occurring since the mountains here pushed up from the Earth! I can't remember the name of the name of the general during the Mexican American War, but he cursed the high winds that would rip down through the Santa Ana riverbed; hence the name. That riverbed is dry during the summer, so think dust, dirt, and gravel tearing through the air. I live in the are where these occur. They're no small thing either. They easily surpass gale strength. They knock over tractor trailers, tear off roofs; you name it. And they can go on for days.
Pete, it does see like we have lost the common regional names to "Names Of Doom". One wonders if "Hurricane" will be eventually replaced with "Super Blowy Storm That Destroys Everything" and "Tornadoes" with "Spinning Air Of Doom".
DeleteThe funny thing is - at least to me - changing the name does not change the impact. The Santa Anas are no joke as are the brisk winds that come in the height of Summer in Old Home that fan fires or the Inverstion Layers that trap in the heat or just "Winter" in general.
Just finish downsizing and 99 degree weather is not ideal time to move. Hopefully you an the RMTB are not south of the Mason Dixon line.
ReplyDeleteG lass
GL - Hopefully you are finished, at least. This has been awful Summer in that respect, and on our travels this week it is little better.
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