Subject: B1) How and why are tropical cyclones named? Contributed by Chris Landsea (NHC) and Neal Dorst (HRD) For listings of the current names being used see B2. Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about what storm is being described. The first use of a proper name for a tropical cyclone was by Clement Wragge, an Australian forecaster late in the 19th century. He first designated tropical cyclones by the letters of the Greek alphabet, then started using South Sea Island girls' names. When the new constituted Australian national government failed to create a federal weather bureau and appoint him director, he to took to naming cyclones "after political figures whom he disliked. By properly naming a hurricane, the weatherman could publicly describe a politician (who perhaps was not too generous with weather-bureau appropriations) as 'causing great distress' or 'wandering aimlessly about the Pacific.'" (Dunn and Miller (1960)) Although Wragge's naming practice lapsed when his Queensland weather bureau closed, fourty years later the idea inspired author George Stewart. In his 1941 novel "Storm", a junior meteorologist named Pacific extratropical storms after former girlfriends. The novel was widely read, especially by US Army Air Corp and Navy meteorologists during World War II. When Reid Bryson, E.B. Buxton, and Bill Plumley were assigned to Saipan in 1944 to forecast tropical cyclones they decided to name them (à la Stewart) after their wives. In 1945, the armed services publicly adopted a list of women's names for typhoons of the western Pacific. However, they were unable to persuade the U.S. Weather Bureau to adopt a similar practice for Atlantic hurricanes. Starting in 1947, the Air Force Hurricane Office in Miami began designating tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean using the Army/Navy phonetic alphabet (Able-Baker-Charlie-etc.) in internal communications. During the busy 1950 hurricane season there were three hurricanes occuring simultaneously in the Atlantic basin, causing considerable confusion. Grady Norton then decided to use the Air Force's naming system in public bulletins and in his year-end summary. By the next year, these names began appearing in newspaper articles. This practice proved popular. However, in 1952 a new International phonetic alpahbet was adopted (Alpha-Beta-Charlie-etc.) which caused some confusion about hurricane names. So in 1953 the US Weather Bureau finally acceded to the Armed Services'practice of using women's names. This was both controversial and popular. In 1979, under political pressure, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) requested that the WMO's Region IV Hurricane Committee switch to a hurricane name list that alternated men's and women's names following the practice adopted by Australia's Bureau of Meteorology in 1975. A rare hurricane near Hawai'i in 1950 was called Hiki (Hawai'ian for Able). But an official name list for tropical cyclones near the islands wasn't adopted until 1959. The next year a list was also drawn up for the entire Northeast Pacific basin administered by the Weather Bureau office in San Francisco. In 1978, both men's and women's names were utilized. The Northwest Pacific basin tropical cyclones were given women's names officially starting in 1945 and men's names were also included beginning in 1979. As of 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are now being named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are primarily Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. These newly selected names have two major differences from the rest of the world's tropical cyclone name rosters. - The names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. - The names will not be allotted in alphabetical order, but are arranged by contributing nation with the countries being alphabetized. The North Indian Ocean region tropical cyclones were named as of 2006. The Southwest Indian Ocean tropical cyclones were first named during the 1960/1961 season. The Australian and South Pacific region (east of 90E, south of the equator) started giving women's names to the storms in 1964 and both men's and women's names in 1974/1975. Last revised May 1, 2014 Subject: B2) What are the upcoming tropical cyclone names ? NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Alex Arlene Alberto Andrea Arthur Ana Bonnie Bret Beryl Barry Bertha Bill Colin Cindy Chris Chantal Cristobal Claudette Danielle Don Debby Dorian Dolly Danny Earl Emily Ernesto Erin Edouard Elsa Fiona Franklin Florence Fernand Fay Fred Gaston Gert Gordon Gabrielle Gonzalo Grace Hermine Harvey Helene Humberto Hanna Henri Ian Irma Isaac Imelda Isaias Ida Julia Jose Joyce Jerry Josephine Julian Karl Katia Kirk Karen Kyle Kate Lisa Lee Leslie Lorenzo Laura Larry Matthew Maria Michael Melissa Marco Mindy Nicole Nate Nadine Nestor Nana Nicholas Otto Ophelia Oscar Olga Omar Odette Paula Philippe Patty Pablo Paulette Peter Richard Rina Rafael Rebekah Rene Rose Shary Sean Sara Sebastien Sally Sam Tobias Tammy Tony Tanya Teddy Teresa Virginie Vince Valerie Van Vicky Victor Walter Whitney William Wendy Wilfred Wanda Eastern North Pacific (east of 140W) 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Agatha Adrian Aletta Alvin Amanda Andres Blas Beatriz Bud Barbara Boris Blanca Celia Calvin Carlotta Cosme Cristina Carlos Darby Dora Daniel Dalila Douglas Dolores Estelle Eugene Emilia Erick Elida Enrique Frank Fernanda Fabio Flossie Fausto Felicia Georgette Greg Gilma Gil Genevieve Guillermo Howard Hilary Hector Henriette Hernan Hilda Ivette Irwin Ileana Ivo Iselle Ignacio Javier Jova John Juliette Julio Jimena Kay Kenneth Kristy Kiko Karina Kevin Lester Lidia Lane Lorena Lowell Linda Madeline Max Miriam Mario Marie Marty Newton Norma Norman Narda Norbert Nora Orlene Otis Olivia Octave Odalys Olaf Paine Pilar Paul Priscilla Polo Pamela Roslyn Ramon Rosa Raymond Rachel Rick Seymour Selma Sergio Sonia Simon Sandra Tina Todd Tara Tico Trudy Terry Virgil Veronica Vicente Velma Vance Vivian Winifred Wiley Willa Wallis Winnie Waldo Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda York Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Central North Pacific (from the dateline to 140W) Akoni Aka Alika Ana Ema Ekeka Ele Ela Hone Hene Huko Halola Iona Iolana Iopa Iune Keli Keoni Kika Kilo Lala Lino Lana Loke Moke Mele Maka Malia Nolo Nona Neki Niala Olana Oliwa Omeka Oho Pena Pama Pewa Pali Ulana Upana Unala Ulika Wale Wene Wali Walaka Each year the next name is just the one following the last from the previous year. Once through a list the next name will be off of the top of the next list. TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for the NORTHWEST PACIFIC Gary Padgett For over a half-century (since at least 1945) the military weather forecasters, initially members of the U. S. Navy and later also from the U. S. Air Force, have named tropical cyclones forming in the Northwest Pacific basin. The names utilized were almost exclusively English feminine names through 1978, but beginning in 1979 men's names were used with women's names in an alternating fashion. Also, starting in 1963 the meteorological service of the Philippines (now known as PAGASA) began assigning Filipino women's names ending in "ng" to tropical depressions and cyclones forming in or passing through PAGASA's area of warning responsibility. In 2002 a new naming scheme was adopted by PAGASA (see below). Beginning on 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. The new names will be allotted to developing tropical storms by the Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the Japanese Meteorological Agency which is the RSMC for the basin. These newly selected names have two major differences from the rest of the world's tropical cyclone name rosters. One, the names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. Secondly, the names will not be allotted in alphabetical order, but are arranged by contributing nation with the countries being alphabetized. Fourteen nations or territories contributed ten names each for a total of 140 names. The first 42 names on the roster are: Western North Pacific (west of the dateline) Contributing Names Nation Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika China Haijui Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Mujigae* Meari Hong Konga Kai-Tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on Japan Tembin Usagi Kanmuri Koppu* Tokage Lao PDR Bolaven Pabuk Phanfone Champi Nock-ten Macau Sanba Wutip Vongfong In-fa Muifa Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Nuri Melor* Merbok Micronesia Ewinlar Mun Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol Philippines Malaksi Danas Hagupit Lupit Talas RO Korea Gaemi Nari Jangmi Mirinae Noru Thailand Prapiroon Wipha Mekkhala Nida Kulap U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke Vietnam Son-Tinh Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca Cambodia Ampil Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat China Wukong Bailu Haishen Dianmu Haitang DPR Korea Jongdari Podul Noul Mindule Nalgae Hong Kong Shanshan Lingling Dolphin Lionrock Banyan Japan Yagi Kajiki Kujira Kompasu Hato Lao PDR Leepi Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Pakhar Macau Bebinca Peipan Linfa Malou Sanvu Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar Micronesia Soulik Mitag Soudelor* Rai Guchol Philippines Cimaron Hagibis Molave Malakas Talim RO Korea Jebi Neoguri Goni Megi Doksuri Thailand Mangkhut Bualoi Atsani Chaba Khanun U.S.A. Barijat Matmo Etau Aere Vicete Vietnam Trami Halong Vamco Songda Saola * Names to be replaced after the 2015 typhoon season PAGASA Names Since 1963 PAGASA has independently named tropical cyclones forming in the Philippines' AOR--from 115E to 135E and from 5N to 25N (except for a portion of the northwestern corner of the above region).  Even though the Philippines contributed ten names to the international list of typhoon names, PAGASA still continues to assign their own names for local use within the Philippines.  It is felt that familiar names are more easily remembered in the rural areas and that having a PAGASA- assigned name helps to underscore the fact that the cyclone is within PAGASA's AOR and potentially a threat to the Philippines.    Another consideration may be PAGASA's desire to assign a name when a system is first classified as a tropical depression.    Since tropical and/or monsoon depressions can bring very heavy rainfall to the nation which often results in disastrous flooding, the weather service feels that assigning a name helps to enhance public attention given to a system. Beginning with 2001 PAGASA began using new sets of cyclone names.  These do not all end in "ng" as did the older names.  Four sets of 25 names will be rotated annually; thus, the set for 2002 will be re-used in 2006. In case more than 25 systems are named in one season, an auxiliary set will be used. PAGASA names 2016 2017 2018 2019 Ambo Auring Agaton Amang Butchoy Bising Basyang Betty Carina Crising Caloy Chedeng Dindo Dante Domeng Dodong Enteng Emong Ester Egay Ferdie Fabian Florita Falcon Gener Gorio Gardo Goring Helen Huaning Henry Hanna Igme Isang Inday Ineng Julian Jolina Josie Jenny Karen Kiko Karding Kabayan Lawin Lannie Luis Lando Marce Maring Maymay Marilyn Nina Nando Neneng Nonoy Ofel Odette Ompong Onyok Pepito Paolo Paeng Perla Quinta Quedan Queenie Quiel Rolly Ramil Rosita Ramon Siony Salome Samuel Sarah Tonyo Tino Tomas Tisoy Ulysses Urduja Usman Ursula Vicky Vinta Venus Viring Warren Wilma Waldo Weng Yoyong Yasmin Yayang Yoyoy Zosimo Zoraida Zeny Zigzag Auxillary Names Alakdan Alamid Agila Abe Baldo Bruno Bagwis Berto Clara Conching Chito Charo Dencio Dolor Diego Dado Estong Ernie Elena Estoy Felipe Florante Felino Felion Gardo Gerardo Gunding Gening Heling Hernan Harriet Herman Ismael Isko Indang Irma Julio Jerome Jessa Jaime INDIAN OCEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES Contributed by Gary Padgett This is a one-time use list of names. When the last name of List 8 has been assigned, a new list will be drawn up by the ESCAP/WMO panel. North Indian Ocean Contributor List 1 List 2 List 3 List 4 Bangladesh Onil Ogni Nisha Giri India Agni Akash Bijli Jal Maldives Hibaru Gonu Aila Kella Mayanmar Pyarr Yemyin Phyan Thane Oman Baaz Sidr Ward Murjan Pakistan Fanoos Nargis Laila Nilam Sri Lanka Mala Abe Bandu Mahasen Thailand Mukda Khai MukPhet Phailin Contributor List 5 List 6 List 7 List 8 Bangladesh Helen Chapala Ockhi Fani India Lehar Megh Sagar Vayu Maldives Madi Vaali Baazu Hikaa Mayanmar Nanauk Kyant Daye Kyarr Oman Hudhud Nada Luban Maha Pakistan Nilofar Vardah Titli Bulbul Sri Lanka Priya Sama Das Soba Thailand Komen Mora Phethai Amphan Southwest Indian (west of 90E) 2015/2016 Annabelle Bohale Corentin Daya Emeraude Fantala Gao Hassina Inacio Juma Ketiwe Lalelani Maobi Naima Octave Piera Quizito Richard Sofia Tatiana Umboni Vela Wayne Xaba Yazid Zenani SOUTHERN PACIFIC TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES Contributed by Julian Heming, Jack Beven, Gary Padgett, Frank Woodcock and Jon Gill Starting with the 2008/2009 season, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers have consolidated their three different name lists into one unified listing, given below. If a named cyclone moves into the Australian regions from another warning center's area of responsibility, that previously assigned name will be used instead of one selected from this list. Names will be assigned in the order below (A-Zed) then the next list will be used, irrespective of year. Australian Region Names A Anika Anthony Alessia Alfred Ann B Billy Bianca Bruce Blanche Blake C Charlotte Courtney Catherine Caleb Claudia D Dominic Dianne Dylan Debbie Damien E Ellie Errol Edna Ernie Esther F Freddy Fina Fletcher Frances Ferdinand G Gabrielle Grant Gillian Greg Gretel H Herman Hayley Hadi Hilda Harold I Ilsa Iggy Ivana Isobel* Imogen J Jasper Jenna Jack Joyce Joshua K Kirrily Koji Kate Kelvin Kimi L Lincoln Luana Lam* Linda Lucas M Megan Mitchell Marcia* Marcus Marian N Neville Narelle Nathan Nora Noah O Olga --- Olwyn Owen Odette PQ Paul Peta Quang Penny Paddy R Robyn Rubina Raquel Riley Ruby S Sean Sandra Stan Savannah Seth T Tasha Tim Tatiana Trevor Tiffany UV Vince Victoria Uriah Veronica Vernon WXYZ Zelia Zane Yvette Wallace * Scheduled for replacment --- Name removed and replacement not provided RSMC NADI'S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (0 deg S to 25 deg S, 160 deg E to 120 deg W) LIST A LIST B LIST C LIST D LIST E (Standby) Ana Arthur Alvin Amos Aru Bina Becky Bune Bart Bela Cody Chip Cyril Colin Cook Dovi Denia Daphne Donna Dean Eva Elisa Eden Ella Fili Fotu Frorin Frank Gina Glen Garry Gita Garth Hagar Hettie Heley Hali Hart Irene Innis Isa Iris Judy Joni June Jo Julie Kerry Ken Kofi Kala Kevin Lola Lin Louise Leo Mal Mick Mike Mona Moses Nat Nisha Niko Neil Olo Oli Ola Oma Pita Pearl Pam Pami Rae Rene Reuben Rita Rex Sheila Sarah Solo Sarai Suki Tam Tomas Tuni Tino Troy Urmil Ula Vaianu Vanessa Victor Vicky Velma Wati Wano Winston Wiki Wanita Xavier Yvonne Yalo Yolande Yates Yani Zaka Zena Zazu Zidane Zita The name of a new cyclone is determined by sequentially cycling through lists A, B, C and D, then starting list A again. Names from the standby list E are used as replacements when necessary. PORT MORESBY'S
Area of Responsibility (140 deg E to 160 deg E
north of ~10 deg S) Alu Buri Dodo Emau Fere Hibu Ila Kama Lobu Maila Standby list Nou Obaha Paia Ranu Sabi Tau Ume Vali Wau Auram JAKARTA'S Area of Responsibility Anggrek Anggur Bakung Belimbing Cempaka Duku Dahlia Jambu Flamboyan Lengkeng Kenanga Mangga Lili Nangka Mawar Pisang Seroja Rambuta Teratai Sawo Contributed by Sandy Delgado and Brenden Moses South Atlantic Arani Bapo Cari Deni* Ecai Guara Iba Jaguar Kamby Mani * Next name on list When a cyclone is located or is expected to be located such that two or more tropical cyclone warning centres are involved, every attempt is made to resolve any differences of opinion on the cyclone and its expected behaviour through discussions. After discussion, the decision of the warning centre with prime responsibility prevails. The warning centre with prime responsibility for the cyclone issues the warning for that cyclone. The warning includes all regions affected by the tropical cyclone, even when these extend into another centre's area of responsibility. Last Revised April 27, 2016 Subject: B3) What storm names have been retired? Kindly provided by Gary Padgett, Jack Beven (NHC), James Lewis Free (CSC) , and Sandy Delgado (NHC). In the Atlantic basin, tropical cyclone names are "retired" (that is, not to be used again for a new storm) if it is deemed to be quite noteworthy because of the damage and/or deaths it caused. This is to prevent confusion with a historically well-known cyclone with a current one in the Atlantic basin. Sometimes names are removed for other reasons, such as cultural considerations or politics. The following list gives the names that have been retired and the year of the storm in question. Retired hurricane names Atlantic Audrey 1957, Agnes 1972, Anita 1977, Allen 1980, Alicia 1983, Andrew 1992, Allison 2001 Betsy 1965, Beulah 1967, Bob 1991 Connie 1955 ,Carla 1961, Cleo 1964, *Carol 1965, Camille 1969, Celia 1970, Carmen 1974, Cesar 1996, Charley 2004 Diane 1955, Donna 1960, Dora 1964, David 1979, Diana 1990, Dennis 2005, Dean 2007 *Edna 1968, Eloise 1975, Elena 1985, Erika 2015 Flora 1963, Fifi 1974, Frederic 1979, Fran 1996, Floyd 1999, Fabian 2003, Frances 2004, Felix 2007 Gracie 1959, Gloria 1985, Gilbert 1988, Georges 1998, Gustav 2008 Hazel 1954, Hattie 1961, Hilda 1964, Hugo 1989,Hortense 1996 Ione 1955, Inez 1966, Iris 2001, Isidore 2002, Isabel 2003, Ivan 2004, Ike 2008,Igor 2010, Irene 2011, Ingrid 2013 Janet 1955, Joan 1988, Juan 2003, Jeanne 2004, Joaquin 2015 Klaus 1990, Keith 2000, Katrina 2005 Luis 1995, Lenny 1999, Lili 2002 Marilyn 1995, Mitch 1998, Michelle 2001 Noel 2007 Opal 1995 Paloma 2008 Roxanne 1995, Rita 2005 Stan 2005, Sandy 2012 Tomas 2010 Wilma 2005 * Name retired because of previous storm in 1954 with the same name. Although rarer, some East Pacific names have been retired from the list. The climatology of this basin has most hurricanes moving away from the shore, so chances are rare that these storms would adversely affect people necessitating the name be retired. Retired hurricane names East Pacific Adele 1970, *Adolph 2001, Alma 2008 Hazel 1965 Iva 1988, Ismael 1995,*Israel 2001 Knut 1988, Kenna 2002 Manuel 2013 Odile 2014 Pauline 1997, Patricia 2015 * Name retired because of political considerations A few Central Pacific names have been retired from their list. Most of them were removed for inflicting damage or adversely affecting the Hawai'ian Islands. However, some names were retired due to destruction caused in the western Pacific. Retired hurricane names Central Pacific Fico 1978, Fefa 1991 Iwa 1982, Iniki 1992, Ioke 2006 Paka 1997 Names retired before the 2000 season come from the name lists used by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. Since 2000, the names removed come from the name lists used by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Most of the retired names inflicted significant damage to the nations affected. Retired typhoon names Western Pacific *Bess 1974, *Bess 1982, Bilis 2006, Bopha 2012 Chanchu 2006, Chataan 2002 Durian 2006 Fanapi 2010, Fitow 2013 +Hanuman 2002, Haiyan 2013 Ike 1984, Imbudo 2003 Karen 1962, Ketsana 2009, +Kodo 2002, Koppu 2015 Longwang 2005 Maemi 2003, Matsa 2005, Mike 1990, Mirielle 1991, Morakot 2009, Mujigae 2015, Melor 2015 Nabi 2005 Omar 1992 Parma 2009, Pongsona 2002 Rananim 2004, Roy 1988, Rusa 2002 Saomai 2006, Sudal 2004, Soudelor 2015 Thelma 1991, Tingting 2004 Utor 2013 Vamei 2001 Xangsane 2006 Yanyan 2004 *Bess 1974 was retired after the season and replaced with Bonnie. In 1979, new name lists featuring both sexes were introduced and Bess was added back. In 1982, Bess was again retired and replaced with Brenda. +Retired before being used Last updated June 1, 2016 Subject: B4) What is the origin of the word "hurricane"? Contributed by Chris Landsea "HURRICANE derived from 'Hurican', the Carib god of evil... alternative spellings: foracan, foracane, furacana, furacane, furicane,furicano, haracana, harauncana, haraucane, haroucana, harrycain, hauracane, haurachana, herican, hericane, hericano, herocane, herricao, herycano, heuricane, hiracano, hirecano, hurac[s]n, huracano, hurican, hurleblast, hurlecan, hurlecano, hurlicano, hurrican, hurricano, hyrracano, urycan, hyrricano, jimmycane, oraucan, uracan, uracano" From the AMS Glossary of Meteorology It should be noted that the Carib god 'Hurican' was derived from the Mayan god 'Hurakan', one of their creator gods, who blew his breath across the Chaotic water and brought forth dry land and later destroyed the men of wood with a great storm and flood . Subject: B5) What happens to the name of a tropical cyclone if it moves from the Atlantic regions to the Northeast Pacific, or vice versa? Contributed by Chris Landsea The rule used to be that if the tropical storm or hurricane moved into a different basin (see F1 for more about the basins), then it was renamed to whatever name was next on the list for the area. The last time that this occurred was in July 1996 when Atlantic basin Tropical Storm Cesar moved across Central America and was renamed Northeast Pacific basin Tropical Storm Douglas. The last time that a Northeast Pacific system moved into the Atlantic basin was in June 1989 when Cosme became Allison. However, these rules have now changed at the National Hurricane Center and if the system remains a tropical cyclone as it moves across Central America, then it will keep the original name. Only if the tropical cyclone dissipates with just a tropical disturbance remaining, will the tropical warning center give the system a new name assuming it becomes a tropical cyclone once again in its new basin. Subject: B6) What happens if they run out of names on the list? Contributed by Neal Dorst Well, we all found out the answer in 2005. In the Atlantic and East Pacific, when they have run through the name list they then use the Greek alphabet : Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon,... etc. . At present there are no plans to retire letters of the Greek alphabet from the list, but if a very bad hurricane occurs with a Greek letter name, this may have to be revised. In the Central and West Pacific they have a perpetual lists of names, so when one list is through they simply start on the next. Since the name list has been started in the Atlantic in 1950 the furthest they have gone down the list has been Tropical Storm Zeta in 2005. Revised May 8, 2007 Subject: B7) How can I nominate a new name for the list? Contributed by Frank Lepore (NHC) Since 1978, the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization, a group representing some 120 different countries, has used pre-determined lists of names for tropical storms for each ocean basin of the world. The Atlantic basin, which falls under Regional Association IV, has a six year supply of names with 21 names for each year. Why 21 names? Well, the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z are not used because names beginning with those letters are in short supply (you would need at least 3 male and 3 female names for each letter, plus a back-up supply for those retired). Think about it; how many men and women do you know whose names begin with these letters? When a damage or casualty producing storm like Mitch, Andrew,or Katrina strikes, the country most affected by the storm may recommend to the World Meteorological Organization's Regional Association that the name be "retired." Retiring a name is an act of respect for its victims, and reduces confusion in the insurance, legal or scientific literature. A retired name is replaced with a like-gender name beginning with the same letter. For example, Honduras recommended (1998) the name Mitch be retired and proposed the replacement name, Matthew, for consideration (and vote) by the 25-member countries of the Regional Association-IV. Seventy-seven names have been retired in the Atlantic basin. The names used on the list must meet some fundamental criteria. They should be short, and readily understood when broadcast. Further the names must be culturally sensitive and not convey some unintended and potentially inflammatory meaning. The potential for misunderstanding increases when you figure that in the Atlantic basin there are twenty-four countries, reflecting an international mix of English, Spanish and French cultures. Typically, over the historical record, about one storm each year causes so much death and destruction that its name is considered for retirement. This means that in a "normal" year, the odds are about 1 in 8 of requiring a replacement name, given that over the last 57 years (of reliable record) we've averaged slightly over 8 tropical storms and hurricanes per season (actually 8.6). So, it's more likely that letters/ names toward the front of the alphabet (letters A through H) might be retired. The Region IV Naming Committee has a rather large file folder of nominated names that have already been submitted. The next time the need arises and it's a storm affecting mainly the United States, the Committee will be casting about for a replacement tropical cyclone name. They will take out this file to make a selection. But as we say, it's pure chance from there. Last updated : May 20, 2011 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Australian Region Names RSMC NADI'S AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY 0 deg S to 25 deg S 160 deg E to 120 deg W PORT MORESBY'S Area of Responsibility (140 deg E to 160 deg E north of ~10 deg S) JAKARTA'S Area of Responsibility