What You Need To Know
- Two reindeer are named after weather phenomena
- Rudolph saved the day one Christmas Eve when fog covered most of the Earth
- Santa uses forecasts from local meteorologists to plan his Christmas Eve flight
We’ve all heard the tale of Rudolph, and we’ll cover that part of the story in a moment, but first, let’s start with two of Santa’s original reindeer.
The original eight
You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen, but did you know that two of the reindeer are named after weather phenomena?
But which ones?
If you guessed Donner and Blitzen, you are correct!
Donner, also sometimes called Donder or Dunder, is named after thunder. The name comes from the Dutch word for thunder.
Blitzen, also spelled Blixen and Blixem, is named after lightning. The name also comes from a Dutch word meaning lightning.
Rudolph leads the way
I think we all know the story of Rudolph.
This iconic reindeer showed up in 1939. Looked upon as a misfit (aren’t we all in some way), the other reindeer rejected Rudolph and made fun of him because of his red, glowing nose. Though that “little” abnormality came in handy “one foggy Christmas Eve.”
Santa’s Christmas Eve forecast
Something you may not know is Santa Claus has a weather forecasting team at the North Pole.
Some elves specialize in forecasting the weather around the world. These meteorologists give Santa an overview of the weather around the globe on Christmas Eve, but Santa depends on local National Weather Service and TV meteorologists to provide him forecasts for cities along his flight path.
In the Christmas Eve sky
So on Christmas Eve night, if your skies are clear, look to the sky. You might see a red light moving across the sky. More than likely, it’s the beacon on an airplane, but it might, just might, be the glow of Rudolph’s red nose.
And if the weather is not so clear, rest well knowing that Santa’s got a well-trained team of reindeer pulling the sleigh and an accurate forecast so he can safely complete his Christmas Eve journey around the Earth.
Conclusion
As we near the end of the holiday season, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and Merry Christmas. May the spirit of Santa and his reindeer be with you always.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why are two of Santa’s reindeer named after weather phenomena?
A: Donner and Blitzen, two of Santa’s original reindeer, are named after thunder and lightning, respectively, in the Dutch language.
Q: What role did Rudolph play in Christmas Eve weather history?
A: Rudolph saved the day one Christmas Eve when fog covered most of the Earth, leading Santa’s sleigh and ensuring the successful delivery of gifts.
Q: How does Santa plan his Christmas Eve flight?
A: Santa uses forecasts from local meteorologists to plan his Christmas Eve flight, with a team of elves specializing in forecasting the weather around the world.
