Have you ever wondered why tropical storms and hurricanes are given names? It’s not to make these disastrous storms seem friendlier, that’s for sure. Storms are given names to make them easier to remember. But who picks the names?
Scroll down to see the hurricane names for the 2020 season
How Are Storms Named?
Prior to the 1950s, meteorologists kept track of hurricanes and tropical storms by the year and the storms’ order for that year. So, for instance, the fifth tropical storm of 1938 was referred to as just that — the “fifth tropical storm of 1938” or “Storm 5.”
Tropical storms and hurricanes that did a lot of damage received unofficial names—like the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane, which did so much damage that the Miami government implemented the first known building code in the United States.
During the 1950s, meteorologists realized that it was difficult to keep track of unnamed storms—particularly if there was more than one storm happening at any given time. By 1953, meteorologists around the United States were using names for tropical storms and cyclones.
In those days, the storm names were all female. Both male and female names were used for Northern Pacific storms in 1978, and by 1979, male and female names were being used for Atlantic storms, too.
The World Meteorological Organization is responsible for developing the names for both Northern Pacific and Atlantic storms. They use six lists of names for Atlantic Ocean and Eastern North Pacific storms. These lists rotate, one each year.
That means every six years, the names cycle back around and get reused (which happened in 2019). If a hurricane does tremendous damage, such as Katrina, Sandy, or Harvey, the name is retired and replaced by a different name beginning with the same letter (After 2019, Dorian will most likely be added to the list of retired names).
The names alternate between male and female names, listed alphabetically and in chronological order starting with A and omitting Q and U, X, Y, and Z. If more than 21 names are required during a season, the Greek alphabet is used.
Tropical Storms vs. Hurricanes
The National Hurricane Center explains that names are only given to tropical storms that have sustained wind speeds higher than 39 mph. These names will stay with the storm as it reaches hurricane strength (maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher). This means Tropical Storm Debby, for example, will become Hurricane Debby if it reaches maturity.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1st, peaks September 10th, and ends November 30th, although hurricanes can form at any time.
List of 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
These names were recycled from the 2014 season. Did your name make the list?
- Arthur
- Bertha
- Cristobal
- Dolly
- Edouard
- Fay
- Gonzalo
- Hanna
- Isaias
- Josephine
- Kyle
- Laura
- Marco
- Nana
- Omar
- Paulette
- Rene
- Sally
- Teddy
- Vicky
- Wilfred
List of 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Names:
These names were recycled from the 2013 season.
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dorian
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
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I THINK HURRICANE BLAKE SAM ADRIAN PLEASE. PLEASE RESPOND WHEN CONFIRMED. BLESS.
No guys lets all just calm down! We need a better name, how about Sharkeisha! You know it’s a storm, water, ocean, and shark!
You should use one of my names, Socorro. Thank you 🙏🏻
With ALL the names out there, why in the world would they be recycled? How about Pamela, Suzanne, Valerie or Elizabeth?
How about some unique, but easy to say; names?
My name made it on there but there’s no h at the end
Here are some names to use if you need to retire any storms.:Jessica, Shaylynne, EJ, Tyler, Dean
JOSH would be a great one. Joshua if moms mad
Spartacus
Akuma or Kemono would be really cool!!!
Please add Autymn to your list of names.
Why don’t you use the name Jannelle?
I’ve never seen ROSIE make the list. Would be interesting.
I always look to see if my name made it , Angie, but never did I far as I can see
Has it?
Angie, and keep in mind they recycle the names every 6 years so you’ll see some again and again if you’ve been following them for a while.
Please add a Bear or Dov named Hurricane. Same name!
Please ad a Bear or Dov named Hurricane! Same name!
Has the name Virginia ever made the list?
How about Mildred