RIYADH: The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) has slammed unqualified people for using female names for certain climatic conditions, such as Noor and Ndada.

Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the PME, said there were many uneducated people forecasting weather conditions, which could harm the public. Predictions and naming were the sole preserve of the International Organization for Meteorology, he was quoted as saying by a local publication recently.

He said the media also has a role to play in making sure that people do not follow the predictions of these unqualified people. He said the Arab Committee for Meteorology of the Arab League, of which the Kingdom is a member, has also issued this warning.