Naming storms can be tricky, like Met office Discover.

Welsh speakers have expressed dismay and surprise after a UK forecasting expert named Heulwen as one of the names for the 2020-2021 storms.

The problem is that Heulwen means sunlight, or “sun blessed.” It may not be the most appropriate name for a weather event that could cause flooding and disrupt travel.

Heledd Fychan, a board member of Plaid Cymru in Pontypridd, South Wales, who was Affected badly Of the storms in February, he said: “While it is wonderful to use the name Welsh, it is unfortunate that out of all the wonderful names the Met Office could have chosen, they chose a name that meant the shining of the sun.

“Given the intensity of the storms that struck Wells This year, the terrible impact on many societies, it is insensitive to those affected. “

BBC weather worker Owen Wayne Evans was among those who raised eyebrows, tweeting: “Who looks to Storm Sunshine?”

Dr Ellier Hughes, a general practitioner from Wales, has also tweeted about the irony of describing a Sunshine storm.

The Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith was more conciliatory. Its president, Bethan Roth said: “We are always delighted to see the Welsh language being used in an international context. Welsh names, including place names, should be widely used, normalized and celebrated in Britain, given the long and rich history of the language on this island.” .

The Met Office defended his choice, insisting that the aim of the exercise was not to focus on meanings but to make people realize that if a storm is named, very bad weather is on the way.

This is the sixth year that storms are named. The first serious storm this fall will be called Aiden, followed by Bella and Christoph.

Met Office spokeswoman Bonnie Diamond said the organization always carefully considers the meanings of the names it gives to storms and sees nothing wrong with using Heulwen.

We’ve invited the public to get names. “We had thousands of suggestions,” she said. “There were a lot of interesting names on the list. We’re eager to have a very diverse list of names.

“H was going to be female this year [it was Hugh last time]. The popular female name was Heulwen. We check all the meanings of the names beforehand. Meaning of Heulwen blessing the sun. We were more than happy to use it. “

Colleagues including Welsh speakers were consulted and supported its use.

“Every name has a meaning,” said Diamond, wavering on other names from the 2020-21 list. “Aiden means fiery, Bella means beauty. Ravi means sun and naaya water. Last year we had Samir, which means wind.”

Diamond said the weather office would encourage people not to indulge in meanings. “Giving names to the storms helps convey the message that severe weather is on the way,” she said.

Met office Collaborate with peers In Ireland, Mitt Irian, and the Netherlands, KNMI, to name storms.

In a statement, she said: “Similar to previous years, the 2020-21 list of names proposed by the public has been compiled alongside names that reflect the diversity of the three countries.

“As in previous years, Q, U, X, Y and Z will not be used to comply with international agreements to name the storm.”

Unfortunately for Heulwens everywhere, the name may end up unused as storms are named alphabetically. The 2019-20 season has only arrived F by Francis.