Hurricane Names - How are Hurricanes Named?
Image of Hurricane Irene seen from space
In this article, we'll explore the fascinating world of hurricane naming, a practice that dates back several decades. You might wonder why hurricanes are named at all or how they receive their names. We'll dive into the 2023 hurricane names, learn about retired hurricane names, and what happens if we run out of names. Additionally, we'll examine the history of Atlantic hurricane names. Join us as we unravel the captivating story behind the names of these powerful natural phenomena.
Why are Hurricanes Named?
Hurricanes are named to simplify communication and avoid confusion when discussing these powerful and often destructive storms. By assigning a unique and easily recognizable name to each storm, meteorologists, emergency responders, and the general public can efficiently exchange information about the storm's progress, potential impacts, and necessary precautions.
Naming hurricanes also helps to differentiate between multiple storms occurring simultaneously. In the past, when hurricanes were identified only by their latitude and longitude, misunderstandings could arise, leading to ill-preparedness or a slower response to the storm. The introduction of distinctive names significantly reduced the risk of miscommunication and improved the overall effectiveness of storm tracking and emergency response efforts.
How Do Hurricanes Get Their Names? Who Names Hurricanes?
Hurricane names are selected by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), an agency of the United Nations responsible for coordinating international meteorological cooperation. The WMO maintains a set of six rotating lists of names for Atlantic hurricanes, with each list containing 21 names. Each year, a different list is used, and the process repeats every six years.
The names on these lists are arranged alphabetically and alternate between male and female names. They are usually short, easy to remember, and representative of the languages spoken in the areas affected by hurricanes. The names are submitted by countries in the region and reflect a mix of English, Spanish, and French names, as these are the primary languages spoken in the Atlantic region.
When a new tropical storm forms and reaches a sustained wind speed of 39 mph (63 km/h), it is assigned the next available name from the list. If a hurricane causes significant damage or loss of life, its name may be retired by the WMO out of respect for the victims and their families. In such cases, a new name is chosen to replace the retired one on the list.
These naming conventions apply specifically to the Atlantic storms. Other oceanic regions, such as the Eastern Pacific, Western Pacific, and Indian Ocean, have their own sets of names and naming procedures, which are also managed by the WMO.
The History of Naming Hurricanes
The practice of naming hurricanes has evolved over time. Before the formal system we know today, hurricanes were often named after the places they struck or the year or saint's feast day on which they occurred. For example, the "Great Hurricane of 1780" was named after the Year, the Hurricane "Santa Ana" in 1825 was named after the saint's day, and the "Galveston Hurricane of 1900" was named after the Texan city it hit and the year.
During World War II, military meteorologists began informally naming typhoons in the Pacific theater after their wives and girlfriends. This practice made it easier to communicate about the storms and inspired the idea of naming hurricanes systematically.
In 1950, the United States Weather Bureau (now the National Weather Service) started using the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, etc.) to name Atlantic storms. However, this system proved problematic, as the phonetic alphabet was revised every few years, creating confusion.
In 1953, the United States adopted a new naming system, using female names exclusively for Atlantic hurricanes. This method gained widespread acceptance, and by 1979, the WMO expanded the practice to include male names as well, alternating between genders in the naming lists. The first Atlantic storm to be assigned a male name was Hurricane Bob, which formed in July 1979.
The WMO's current system of using six rotating lists of names began in 1979, with names submitted by countries in the Atlantic basin. This inclusive and well-organized system has made it much easier to track and communicate about hurricanes, helping to improve public awareness and preparedness for these powerful natural events.
View from the space station of Hurricane Joaquin approaching a city at night
2023 Hurricane Names
The World Meteorological Organization has prepared a list of 21 names to be used for tropical storms and hurricanes during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. These the Hurricane Names for 2023:
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harold
Idalia
Jose
Katia
Lee
Margot
Nigel
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
As the hurricane season unfolds and new storms emerge, they will receive their designated name from this list. The names are designed to be easily recognizable, facilitating clear communication and enhancing public awareness of each developing storm.
What Happens If We Run Out of Names?
In rare instances, the Atlantic hurricane season may be so active that all 21 predetermined names are used, leaving no names available for additional storms. If this occurs, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has a backup plan in place to ensure that each new storm can still be named for efficient communication and tracking.
When the 21-name list is exhausted, meteorologists turn to the Greek alphabet to name the subsequent storms. This has only happened twice since the implementation of the current naming system in 1979. The first instance was during the historic 2005 hurricane season, which included the devastating Hurricane Katrina, and the second occurrence was in the extremely active 2020 hurricane season.
Starting with Alpha, and continuing with Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on, the Greek alphabet provides a supplementary naming system that can be employed if needed. However, due to the rarity of this situation, reaching the Greek alphabet typically indicates a particularly active and noteworthy hurricane season.
Interesting fact:
Unlike the standard hurricane names, names from the Greek alphabet are not retired if a storm causes significant damage or loss of life. Instead, a note is added to the WMO's records to identify the storm and its impacts.
Widespread flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005
Retired Hurricane Names
When a hurricane causes significant damage, loss of life, or lasting impacts, its name may be retired out of respect for the victims and their families, as well as to avoid confusion in future hurricane seasons. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is responsible for retiring hurricane names and replacing them with new ones. Here's a list of retired hurricane names and the years they were retired:
Agnes 1972
Alicia 1983
Allen 1980
Allison 2001
Andrew 1992
Anita 1977
Audrey 1957
Betsy 1965
Beulah 1967
Bob 1991
Camille 1969
Carla 1961
Carmen 1974
Carol 1954
Celia 1970
Cesar 1996
Charley 2004
Cleo 1964
Connie 1955
David 1979
Dean 2007
Dennis 2005
Diana 1990
Diane 1955
Donna 1960
Dora 1964
Dorian 2019
Edna 1954
Elena 1985
Eloise 1975
Erika 2015
Eta 2020
Fabian 2003
Felix 2007
Fifi 1974
Fiona 2022
Flora 1963
Florence 2018
Floyd 1999
Fran 1996
Frances 2004
Frederic 1979
Georges 1998
Gilbert 1988
Gloria 1985
Greta 1978
Gustav 2008
Harvey 2017
Hattie 1961
Hazel 1954
Hilda 1964
Hortense 1996
Hugo 1989
Ian 2022
Ida 2021
Igor 2010
Ike 2008
Inez 1966
Ingrid 2013
Ione 1955
Iota 2020
Irene 2011
Iris 2001
Irma 2017
Isabel 2003
Isidore 2002
Ivan 2004
Janet 1955
Jeanne 2004
Joan 1988
Joaquin 2015
Juan 2003
Katrina 2005
Keith 2000
Klaus 1990
Laura 2020
Lenny 1999
Lili 2002
Luis 1995
Maria 2017
Marilyn 1995
Matthew 2016
Michael 2018
Michelle 2001
Mitch 1998
Nate 2017
Noel 2007
Opal 1995
Otto 2016
Paloma 2008
Rita 2005
Roxanne 1995
Sandy 2012
Stan 2005
Tomas 2010
Wilma 2005
Summary
The practice of naming hurricanes evolved since its inception, always serving as a critical communication tool. The World Meteorological Organization is responsible for maintaining the lists of hurricane names, which are rotated every six years. When a storm causes enough damage the name is retired. With a structured naming system, meteorologists and the public can more effectively track and discuss these storms, ultimately leading to better communication, preparedness, and response.