How does the Weather Channel decide which storms will be named?
To the chagrin of the professional weather community, there are no strict scientific criteria that must be met before a winter storm can earn a name. Ultimately, the decision is up to TWC senior meteorologists. Some of the things they take into consideration include:
If it's evident from the forecast maps and models that the storm is shaping up to be one of historic or record-breaking proportions. If the NWS has issued a winter storm warning. If the storm is forecast to impact an area of at least 400,000 square miles, a population of at least 2 million people, or both.
If the answers to all of the above are "yes," it's very likely the storm will be named.