Not all extreme weather events are given names, but could naming them all provide benefits?

Various weather phenomena are handled differently. For instance, significant bushfires often acquire informal names based on their timing or location, like Black Saturday or the Black Summer fires, while smaller fires generally go without a name.

In contrast, some extreme weather conditions, such as east coast lows, major floods, and heatwaves, typically remain unnamed, even though they can cause similar levels of destruction.

The practice of naming cyclones is based on a similar principle: assigning them short, distinctive names helps minimize confusion when multiple storms occur simultaneously and enhances communication among agencies, the media, and the public.

By contrast, other extreme weather — including east coast lows, major floods and heatwaves — remain unnamed, despite often causing comparable damage.

The power of a name

The same logic underpins naming cyclones: short, distinctive names reduce confusion when multiple storms occur at once and improve communication across agencies, media and the public.

Although only about a third of participants recalled the name, the research provided the first real-world evidence that naming heatwaves can improve public awareness and protective behaviour.

While acknowledging heat poses a major and growing public health threat, the organisation concluded naming individual heatwaves could shift focus away from critical messaging — namely, who is at risk and what actions to take.

Should Australia follow?

For these, naming could meaningfully improve communication, recognition, and preparedness without the same drawbacks the WMO highlights for heatwaves.

Steve Turton is an adjunct professor of environmental geography at CQUniversity Australia