You may have noticed that hurricanes have people’s names despite being meteorological phenomena. Perhaps you have wondered how these names are chosen and who decides what each hurricane will be called.
We have answers.
Choosing Names
Before 1953, arbitrary names or identification numbers were used, often confusing. Since then, an organized and rotating naming system has been established.
Each year, lists of names are created by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for each region with tropical cyclones, such as the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. These lists include both male and female names.
Their names are used in a cycle that repeats every six years. This means that a specific list of names is recycled after that period. However, some names are retired, and we’ll explain why later.
Why Are Hurricanes Given Names?
This tropical cyclones are assigned names for various reasons. First, naming them facilitates communication and identification of storms among meteorologists, government agencies, media, and the general public.
Names provide a clear and concise method to refer to specific storms and avoid confusion when multiple storms occur simultaneously.
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Additionally, names help track storms and provide more effective forecasts. When these strong rotating winds are given a name, they become an individualized object that is easier to track and analyze, which is crucial for issuing accurate warnings and forecasts. Naming each of these weather phenomena distinctly avoids confusion in regions where multiple hurricanes occur simultaneously.
It is also useful to name them to create a historical record of storms and weather events. This allows scientists, researchers, and authorities to study and analyze weather patterns and trends over time.
Characteristics of Hurricane Names
Hurricane names are used to identify and track tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and Pacific basins. Here are the main characteristics for naming them:
- Gender-balanced names: This allows for an equitable distribution of gender and is a common practice in most basins.
- Use of international names: Reflecting the diversity of cultures in the regions affected by hurricanes. The names come from different countries and regions worldwide.
- Short and easy-to-pronounce names: These are used in forecasts and emergency communications.
The List of Names
When a hurricane forms in any ocean, its name is already known. The names of future cyclones have been known for years. This is because the WMO has a designated list of names for hurricanes for six years. After that period, the list is repeated.
These names were initially assigned every two years and chosen alphabetically. It wasn’t until 1979 that this list was created for six years.
For each season, names are assigned according to the region. For example, those occurring near Mexico use names that are more familiar to us, such as Ingrid, Paulina, Alberto, or Rafael, while those occurring in the United States would have names like Florence, Katrina, Bud, Gordon, etc.
List of Names in the Atlantic
Here you can check the historical and upcoming names in the Atlantic up to 2023.
Names in the Pacific
Here you can check the historical and upcoming names in the Pacific up to 2023.
Names Retired from the List
Some cyclone names are never repeated. The criterion for removing a name from the list is that it caused significant human and material damage. Ingrid, Katrina, Wilma, Harvey, and Otto are just some of the names that have been removed from the lists. Otis will probably be retired as well.
Names Retired from the List Since 1954
Here you can check the historical and upcoming hurricane names in the Pacific
This article was originally published in 2021 and re-edited in October 2023 by the Cultura Colectiva staff.
