In November 2012, TWC began systematically naming winter storms, starting with the November 2012 nor'easter it named "Winter Storm Athena. '' TWC compiled a list of winter storm names for the 2012 -- 13 winter season. It would only name those storms that are "disruptive '' to people, said Bryan Norcross, a TWC senior director. TWC 's decision was met with criticism from other weather forecasters, who called the practice self - serving and potentially confusing to the public. Naming though has been used by The Weather Channel (TWC) since 2011, when the cable network informally used the previously - coined name "Snowtober '' for a 2011 Halloween nor'easter.
when did the weather channel start naming winter storms
November 2012 November 2012