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
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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