CNN Bans ‘Frankenstorm’ From Hurricane Sandy Coverage

CNN has banned the term “Frankenstorm” from coverage of Hurricane Sandy, despite the fact that the term is being used by most other major news networks.

The term is being used to describe what may happen when Hurricane Sandy collides with a strong cold front from the west when it hits the East Coast of the United States next week, reports The Los Angeles Times.

CNN has instead placed a ban on Frankenstorm because, as meteorologist Rob Marciano tweeted on Friday:

“The name ‘Frankenstorm’ has been coined by some meteorologists and media. We are refraining due [to] the severity of the storm.”

Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit the East Coast on Tuesday, although it’s exact trajectory is not yet certain. The Washington Post notes that CNN meteorologist and severe weather expert Chad Myers believes the station is right to ban the term. Myers explained:

“It’s a term that’s not appropriate for a storm that has already killed more than 20 people. It’s too big to make fun of it.”

Myers added that he has never used the term “Frankenstorm” on air, but he did see a banner with the term and immediately sent off a text message to have it removed.

A story on Newsday apparently doesn’t agree with CNN’s choice to ban the moniker, as a recent story took the pun to extremes, saying:

“Meteorologists expect a natural horror show of high wind, heavy rain, extreme tides and maybe snow to the west beginning early Sunday, peaking with the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on Tuesday and lingering past Halloween on Wednesday.”

So far CNN is the only major news network to ban the term “Frankenstorm” from its broadcasting about the upcoming storm.