The naming of winter storms just started this year. It's a gimmick begun by The Weather Channel.
Vitelli's mention of Hurricane Donna brought back some memories.... it was (for me) the first day of school in 4th grade and we got to go home early. Lots of trees down all over the neighborhood and some flooding but it was not nearly as bad as Sandy just was.
Mother Nature must be going through the change.... the worst hurricane in the area's history followed by a nor'easter with snow ten days later. And it's just the beginning of November.