Every storm runs out of rain, but not every storm gets a name
We remember many disastrous storms on a first-name basis – Irma, Harvey, Sandy, and Katrina are some significant examples from recent years. But how do we determine which storms get names, and where do the monikers come from?
Oceanic storms of varying degrees of severity occur each year, but only those with winds exceeding 30mph receive names. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), roughly 14 to 21 storms reach this distinction each year, with 6 to 10 of those involving winds upwards of 74mph and officially being classified as hurricanes.
The practice of naming storms can be traced back more than 140 years ago
Australian meteorologist Clement Wragge started assigning personal names to storms in the late 1880s and can be credited for the current system of labeling tropical storms. In 1953, the National Hurricane Center adopted the practice as a way to clarify communication between meteorologists and the general public.
Since then, separate alphabetical name lists have been used for two regions: Atlantic and Pacific. Initially, only female names were used. In 1797, the lists were updated to alternate between male and female, still remaining in alphabetical order. Hurricane season runs roughly from May to November each year.
The outer rain bands of #Beryl are beginning to reach the Texas coast. Dangerous storm surge, flash flooding, and strong winds are expected overnight along portions of the Texas coast. Visit https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ for details. pic.twitter.com/cPBimHIF4f
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) July 8, 2024
The current tropical storm name system rotates between six naming lists
The World Meteorological Organization repeats name lists every six years. Names are only removed from a list and replaced if they are assigned to a devastating storm. 92 total names have been replaced so far, with names beginning with “I” being retired more than names beginning with any other letter.
See the names for the 2024 hurricane season
Two storms have been named so far this year in the Atlantic region: Alberto and Beryl, which just made landfall on the coast of Texas on July 8th. The remaining names on the list are as follows:
- Chris
- Debby
- Ernesto
- Francine
- Gordon
- Helene
- Isaac
- Joyce
- Kirk
- Leslie
- Milton
- Nadine
- Oscar
- Patty
- Rafael
- Sara
- Tony
- Valerie
- William
Tropical storm Aletta is the only storm in the Pacific region that has received a name so far this year. Any future storms that reach severity will follow the below naming order:
- Bud
- Carlotta
- Daniel
- Emilia
- Fabio
- Gilma
- Hector
- Ileana
- John
- Kristy
- Lane
- Miriam
- Norman
- Olivia
- Paul
- Rosa
- Sergio
- Tara
- Vicente
- Willa
- Xavier
- Yolanda
- Zeke
