Why is the new storm affecting France and Spain called 'Pedro'?
The new storm named 'Pedro' is expected to bring strong winds and snowfall to northern Spain and parts of France, highlighting the naming convention used for significant weather events.
The storm known as 'Pedro', the 16th storm of the season, is set to affect northern Spain and France with strong winds and a significant marine temporary warning. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) of Spain, Pedro will bring snowfall starting at altitudes of 700 meters. The naming of storms is a practice that aims to raise public awareness and encourage precautionary measures against high-impact weather events.
Meteorological services from six countries collaborate to assign names to notable storms or low-pressure systems. Pedro's naming comes as part of this collaborative effort, with the Portuguese agency responsible for this season. This tradition not only serves to communicate potential dangers effectively but also marks a new precedent in the European naming conventions for storms, reaching a record of 16 named storms this season alone.
Since the beginning of October, the number of named storms has rapidly increased, with names including Alice, Benjamin, and Claudia, leading up to Pedro. The continuous naming of storms indicates a change in weather patterns or an increase in severe weather events, which may prompt further discussions about climate change and its impact on Europe. Public awareness is crucial as such storms can lead to dangerous conditions, necessitating prompt preparations and response measures from local authorities.