Naming Hurricanes

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was intense. Last year, the Atlantic Ocean spawned more named storms than any year on record. There were so many storms that meteorologists used all 21 names on their alphabetical list. As more storms formed, they switched to letters of the Greek alphabet, naming storms Alpha and Beta—all the way up to Iota.

This year, they’re prepared with a backup list, for a total of 42 names. Phil Klotzbach, a scientist who forecasts hurricanes, says it is unlikely we will ever exceed 42 named storms. “We don’t expect to see overall more hurricanes,” he says, “just potentially stronger ones.”

Every year, meteorologists come up with 21 names to identify Atlantic hurricanes. Each one starts with a different letter of the alphabet. But in 2020, the Atlantic Ocean saw more named storms than any year on record. There were so many that meteorologists ran out of names on their list. As more storms formed, they switched to letters of the Greek alphabet. They named storms Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and more.

This year, they’re prepared with a backup list. They have 42 names in total. Phil Klotzbach, a scientist who forecasts hurricanes, says they are unlikely to ever need more. “We don’t expect to see overall more hurricanes,” even with climate change, he says. “Just potentially stronger ones.”

It took many years to devise this system. In the 1700s, people referred to hurricanes by the places or ships they destroyed. Spanish explorers named storms after saints according to the Roman Catholic calendar. Until the early 1950s, U.S. meteorologists identified storms with the year and the order in which they developed. This awkwardness was often avoided by using nicknames. During World War II, Navy meteorologists would sometimes name hurricanes after their wives or unpopular public figures. Eventually, scientists realized they needed a standardized system.

Since 1953, Atlantic storms have been named from lists created by the National Hurricane Center. Today, the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) maintains and updates that list. At first, all the names were feminine, but in the late 1970s, masculine names were added. Today, Atlantic storms with sustained winds over 39 miles per hour are named in alphabetical order, alternating masculine and feminine. English, French, and Spanish names are used to reflect the diversity of affected countries. Letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are not included. Names are usually recycled every six years, but the WMO retires the names of especially devastating hurricanes, like Katrina, Harvey, and Maria.

Scientists forecast another active hurricane season this year. Is your name on the list?

Naming storms alphabetically is a modern practice. In the 1700s, people often named hurricanes after places and ships the storms destroyed. Spanish explorers used the names of Roman Catholic saints. U.S. meteorologists used to identify storms by the year and the order in which they developed. But this could be confusing, so people often used nicknames. During World War II, Navy meteorologists sometimes named hurricanes after their wives or unpopular public figures. Scientists realized they needed a new system. 

Since 1953, meteorologists have used an alphabetical list of names for Atlantic storms. Today, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is in charge of the list. At first, all the names on the list were feminine. But in the late 1970s, masculine names were added.

An Atlantic storm receives a name if its winds exceed 39 miles per hour. Names are assigned in alphabetical order, alternating masculine and feminine. English, French, and Spanish names are used to reflect the diversity of the countries affected by hurricanes. There are no names beginning with the letters Q, U, X, Y, or Z. Names are usually recycled every six years. But if a hurricane is especially devastating, the WMO retires its name forever. That happened with Hurricanes Katrina, Harvey, and Maria.

Scientists forecast another active hurricane season this year. Is your name on the list?