Why Aren't Heatwaves Named Like Storms?

Why don't heatwaves have names like storms? While severe weather events like "Ianos" and "Daniel" receive names, this practice is not common for heatwaves. As heatwaves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, the question of whether to name heatwaves has arisen.

In the summer of 2023, a heatwave was unofficially named "Cerberus" by an Italian meteorological website, quickly gaining popularity. While many believed the naming would help raise public awareness, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expressed concerns about potential confusion due to the lack of an international classification system.

The city of Seville launched a pilot heatwave naming program in 2022, giving names only when the phenomenon reaches a specific level of risk. Similar initiatives are being considered in Athens and Miami. According to Dr. John Nairn of the WMO, the priority is to create an international system for classifying the intensity of heatwaves, rather than simply naming them.