As a weather geek, I am someone who is constantly checking the weather.  Because of this, I often see weather terms being overused and sometimes misused.  It can get annoying but I also understand why some of this happens.  Maybe a TV station is looking for ratings so they’ll use the word “Blizzard” when really it’s just a snow storm.  Or maybe on Twitter someone will use the word “Derecho” at the first sign of a bow echo on the radar.  I asked for some help naming a few while on twitter this afternoon and here are some of the responses I received: 

Mike Haggett (@westernMEwx) writes “Blizzard” fries me.  When I was a kid, it was 18”+ in 24 hours.  Now it’s anything with white out conditions.

Mike continues and says “Graupel.  It’s just sleet”

Jared Kaufman (@RealJBlizzard) tackles a controversial subject.  “Climate Change, because climate has been changing since day one

Meteorologist Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallagher) writes about the cold snaps in New England.  “The term cold snap gets thrown around every time the temperature falls below freezing.  It dilutes the real cold we’ve seen”

Zach Jacomowitz (@Zak_NYCMetroWx) has an issue with the term “rain gear” that is often used in forecasts.  “Every time a little rain is expected we are always reminded to get out the “rain gear”.  I always picture rain gear as a set of fins, goggles, and wet suit that I change into if it’s going to rain.  I wish there were still telephone booths around.  Then  I could change in there like Superman and come out wearing a red cape.  

Last Adventurer (@last_adventurer) chimed in about the term “feels like” often used when talking about the heat index in the summer.  “feels like.  Talk about a descriptor that is unscientific and subjective.” 

Do you have any overused or misused weather terms that annoy you?  Let me know in the comments section!