Cyclone Season is fast approaching, and while the local news channels were slightly disappointed the Cyclone Season predictions weren’t apocalyptic, we were thinking about Cyclone naming.
As in, why should let organisations like Bureau of Meteorology and their international equivalent have all the cyclone naming fun.
Currently there is a rigid list of cyclone names ready to the next tropical storm, created by BOM Boffins, but that’s boring, and certainly not 21st Century. And not for the people.
Shouldn’t cyclone naming power be given to the people?
That’s why in another one of our Big Ideas, we will explore how the public can get involved in Cyclone Naming.
It’s all too easy too.
Instead of consulting the big Cyclone naming chart, as soon as a system looks like it might become a cyclone, the BOM will invite the Australian public to vote for the next cyclone’s name. Via social media and their website.
People could then choose their preference for cyclone naming after their children, a mother in law they don’t like, their favourite sporting stars, or even a favourite now defunct eastern Brisbane railway station.
Of course this will invite Cyclone McCyclone-Face and other ridiculous names, so a quick scan of the names before broadcasting the winner will be required. As funny as it would be to see Cyclone C–t across all the news bulletins and newspapers, it is probably not for everybody.
The BOM could go one step further and make those interested nominate via a text message for the new public cyclone naming. That would mean they could make a little money out of the promotion to save away in case a future federal government decides to go all ABC on the weather boffins.
Or companies could nominate themselves, but perhaps limit it to businesses with turnover of 10M or less. Unless you want a Cyclone Hot-N-Spicy-350-Nuggets-for-$10.
The cyclone naming is open until the next time 5pm comes around, when the top 5 nominations are put to a final vote via the BOM website and social media. It will only be only for an hour. Let’s hope the BOM website can handle the traffic unlike Brisbane’s Mt Stapylton Radar.
The winning cyclone name will be announced live on all 6pm news broadcasts around the country. That’s 6pm Daylight Savings time, not ESCT (Eastern Standard Curtain Time).
With just a little imagination, a little work, why can’t the public get to name the cyclones for the upcoming overhyped Cyclone Season.
OUR CYCLONE NAMING CHOICES
It wouldn’t be something ridiculous without naming a few suggestions of our own…
Cyclone Minoga
Cyclone Radradra
Cyclone Doboy
Cyclone Mojo
Cyclone Disco Stu
