NBC's Today show meteorologist Dylan Dreyer has found herself at the centre of a geographical naming controversy after making an on-air error during Friday's broadcast. The 44-year-old presenter, while explaining the path of an impending catastrophic winter storm to millions of viewers, inadvertently referred to the Gulf of America by its former name, the Gulf of Mexico.
Viewers Quick to Correct the Meteorological Mistake
During her segment detailing the severe weather system expected to bring heavy snow and catastrophic ice conditions to much of the United States, Dreyer stated: 'The storm is just now gathering itself, we're tapping into some Pacific moisture, we're going to get some Gulf of Mexico moisture, we're going to get the Arctic cold, so look at how expansive these winter storm watch warnings.'
The slip-up did not go unnoticed by attentive viewers, who were quick to point out the error in comments beneath a clip of the segment posted to the show's official Instagram account. One commenter directly corrected: 'It's Gulf of America!' while another echoed: 'You mean Gulf of America!' A third viewer noted with surprise: 'Did y'all hear that? Gulf of Mexico.' Further criticism followed, with a fourth commenter advising: 'Lol you need to look at all your maps. It's now called the Gulf of America.'
The Controversial Renaming Under President Trump
The background to this viewer sensitivity stems from a significant executive action taken by former President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025—his first day in office during his non-consecutive term. Trump officially changed the name of the oceanic basin from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America through a presidential proclamation.
The executive order commemorating the occasion declared: 'As my Administration restores American pride in the history of American greatness, it is fitting and appropriate for our great Nation to come together and commemorate this momentous occasion and the renaming of the Gulf of America.' The Department of the Interior confirmed the name change on January 24, 2025, emphasising the body of water's importance to the United States.
The change was subsequently reflected in mapping services, with Google Maps updating their system one month later. However, the implementation has not been uniform globally. For users in Mexico, the gulf is still displayed as the Gulf of Mexico. Users in Europe and other parts of the world typically see both names, with Gulf of America appearing in parentheses alongside the traditional designation.
Severe Winter Weather Context of the Broadcast
Dreyer's report came as more than 230 million Americans braced for what forecasters fear will be a severe winter weather event bringing heavy snow and potentially catastrophic ice conditions. Over a dozen states have already issued disaster or emergency declarations ahead of the storm, which National Weather Service forecasters predict will bring widespread heavy snow and crippling ice accumulations.
The storm system is expected to spread from New Mexico to Virginia throughout Saturday, delivering widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. By Sunday, forecasters anticipate the storm will move into the Northeast, bringing bitterly cold temperatures and creating hazardous travel conditions across the region.
This dangerous weather follows just one week after a powerful Arctic storm wreaked havoc across New England, causing multiple major car pileups on icy roads. Travel disruptions have already begun, with FlightAware reporting that more than 800 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed or cancelled on Friday in advance of the storm's arrival.
The incident highlights how geographical naming conventions, especially those changed through controversial political actions, can create confusion even for experienced broadcast professionals during live television segments. While Dreyer's meteorological analysis focused on the impending weather crisis, her accidental use of the former name has drawn significant attention to the ongoing debate surrounding the gulf's designation.
