Storms and instances of particularly strong wind are given names internationally so as to aid in coverage and preparation - but why does this particular event have two names?

Since 1953, it is the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the US which chooses the name of tropical storms, like the famous cyclone Katrina in 2005. A list of names is established each year, not necessarily in alphabetical order, and alternating the names of men and women.

In Europe, there is an agreement between different national meteorological services to name storms. It is the country above which the storm reaches the orange level of activity which imposes the name in the list of first names established at the beginning of the year in alphabetical order by alternating male and female first names.

Thus, Ciara who has already reached the British Isles has received a Gaelic name, referring to Saint Claire of Assisi, who died on August 11, 1253.

The Germans have their own system, set up by the Free University of Berlin since 1954. The "adopt a vortex" program was launched in 2002 and allows you to sponsor a depression or a high pressure by giving it its first name. "This helps support the training of students in meteorology" explains their site.

Candidates for purchase must respect the rule of even (odd female) and odd (male name) years and alphabetical order. The one who bought Sabine is a certain Sabine Kaufmann. Brand or family names are not allowed.