2018 Hurricane Names For The Season

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. Each year a new set of hurricane names is developed, and this year 21 new ones are on tap and ready to be put to use for this Atlantic Hurricane season, which officially begins June 1st, and peaks September 10th.

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.

Old System – Hard To Keep Track

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 set lists that 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.

Every six years, the names cycle back around and get reused. If a hurricane does tremendous damage (i.e., Katrina, Sandy, Harvey), the name is retired and replaced by a different name beginning with the same letter.

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.

Here is the full list of 2018 season hurricane names:

1. Alberto
2. Beryl
3. Chris
4. Debby
5. Ernesto
6. Florence
7. Gordon
8. Helene
9. Isaac
10. Joyce
11. Kirk
12. Leslie
13. Michael
14. Nadine
15. Oscar
16. Patty
17. Rafael
18. Sara
19. Tony
20. Valerie
21. William

What does the Farmers’ Almanac say is in store for this year’s hurricane season? Find out!