Every year we hear about hurricanes and tropical storms named as if they were guests, but for the most part these tropical cyclones are unwanted visitors arriving at our shores. Let's take a look at some of the history behind the naming of tropical storms.
Why do hurricanes get names?
The main purpose of naming tropical storms and hurricanes, says the World Meteorological Organization, is to make it easier to communicate about a particular storm. Using longitude and latitude can be confusing especially for people who don't use geographical coordinates on a regular basis. Using a short common name for these storms makes it easy for everyone to know which hurricane is being discussed. This can be particularly important when issuing warnings in advance of the arrival of a dangerous storm.
When does a storm get named?
Tropical cyclones are named once they achieve tropical storm status with a sustained wind speed of 39 mph, says the National Hurricane Center. After that, each storm system will keep that name even if it strengthens to become a hurricane. In some cases, a tropical storm will weaken again after being named to the point where it wouldn't deserve its own name before strengthening once again to regain named status. These storms, so long as they remain a cohesive system will get the same name back again once they regain strength.
When did hurricanes first get names under the modern system?
The current naming system for Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes started with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States in 1953. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the National Hurricane Center both agree on that point, but they differ in their stories of the earliest examples of naming hurricanes. A phonetic system using terms like Able, Baker, and Charlie, was used in the U.S. for a couple of years before the current system. Before that says the National Hurricane Center, women's names were used from about 1941 to 1950 in the U.S. In 1978, male and female names began to be used, alternating gender with each named storm. Earlier storm names might have been associated with the nearest saint's day, says the NHC, while the WMO suggests they might have been named even more capriciously, such as after the name of a ship that was damaged by the storm.
Who decides what names to use for hurricanes and tropical storms?
The National Hurricane Center in the United States came up with the original lists of names for tropical cyclones that originate in the Atlantic, but currently these lists are maintained and updated by the WMO.
Are names used more than once?
Yes. There are six separate lists of tropical cyclone names reserved for the Atlantic. Each list is used once every six years in rotation so the names used in 2011 will again be used in 2017.
Why are some names removed from the list?
The names of hurricanes that were particularly destructive in terms of either human lives or property damage retired from the list permanently. Although both agencies say this is due to sensitivity for those affected by the storm, as a practical matter, some of these larger storms might still be actively discussed six years later when the same name comes around again leading to some confusion if they were to remain on the list. So far, 76 names have been permanently removed from circulation says the Weather Underground.
What happens if the list of tropical storm names for a given year runs out?
Each year 21 names are allotted to be used for tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic. If there should be more than 21 names required, letters of the Greek alphabet are used beginning with the 22nd named storm of the calendar year.
What are the names for this year's hurricanes?
For 2011, the following names will be used in order as required: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katia, Lee, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince and Whitney.
Why aren't all of the names common English names?
Tropical cyclones that originate in the Atlantic often affect many different countries, such as those in the Caribbean or Central American. As a result, meteorologists responsible for selecting the names to be used try to use names that represent the people of the entire region.
