Hurricanes and tornadoes are given names to facilitate communication between meteorologists and the public.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says naming cyclones is the most efficient way to communicate warnings to people. It also helps maritime communication about storms.
“The practice of naming storms (tropical cyclones) began several years ago to facilitate quick identification of storms in warning messages, as names are easier to remember than numbers and technical terms,” the WMO says on its website.
“Many agree that naming storms makes it easier for the media to cover tropical cyclones, increases interest in warnings, and increases community preparedness.”
Cyclones and typhoons are named because they have winds of up to 63 km/h. Only those with great influence tend to get their names published in the press.
Different regions adopt different standards.
According to the Met Office, the United Kingdom's meteorological agency, in most regions, predetermined alphabetical lists of people's male and female names are used.
But in the western North Pacific and northern Indian Oceans, most of the names used are not people's names. There, most storms are named after flowers, animals, birds, trees, foods or adjectives.
For the Caribbean and North American region, the World Meteorological Organization has lists of six different names from A to Z.
Hurricanes are given alphabetical names, which are presented in chronological order throughout the year. The first hurricane of the year was named Alberto, which starts with the letter “A”. The second was called Beryl, the next Chris. And so on.
Not even featured in many magazines. By far the deadliest are Helen – which caused 255 deaths two weeks ago – and Milton.
Six lists of names are recycled every year. In other words, in 2030, six years later, hurricanes will again be called Alberto, Beryl, Chris, etc. The same names were already used six years ago, in 2019.
Until 1979, the list contained only female names. But since then, there have been male and female names.
When a hurricane or typhoon becomes so devastating that it makes history, its name is “retired” from the list, and another name with the same name is chosen. This is what happened with hurricanes Mangut (Philippines, 2018), Irma and Maria (Caribbean, 2017), Haiyan (Philippines, 2013), Sandy (USA, 2012), Katrina (USA, 2005), and Mitch (Honduras). 1998 ) and Tracy (Darwin, 1974).
Hurricanes and tornadoes have fixed seasons – when they occur regularly.
In the North Atlantic and Caribbean, this season is from 1 June to 30 November, when the names on the list are used. In the eastern North Pacific, the season runs from May 15 to November 30.
Why 'Milton'?
But who or what is Milton? Or Katrina?
These names have no special meaning. Tropical cyclones and hurricanes are not named after any specific person.
In the past, storms received arbitrary names that were given according to historical circumstances. For example, in 1842 an Atlantic storm tore the mast from the ship Antje. The storm later became known as Hurricane Antje.
But nowadays names have no meaning.
They are chosen because they are familiar to people in each region. The main function of the name is that it is easily remembered by people who need to prepare for storms.
Names used in 2024 for North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Islands: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debbie, Ernesto, Francine, Gordon, Helen, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Milton, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sarah, Tony , Valerie and William.
Other regions do not use names such as Alberto, Helena and Milton. According to the same timeline, the hurricanes that emerged this year in the eastern North Pacific were given other names: Aletta, Hector and Miriam.
See below for names used in other years in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and North Atlantic regions (which may be used again in the future).
- 2019 and 2025: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, Gabriel, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebecca, Sebastian, Tanya, Van E Wendy.
- 2020 and 2026: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edward, Fay, Gonzalo, Hannah, Isaiah, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.
- 2021 and 2027: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Elsa, Fred, Grace, Henry, Ida, Julian, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.
- 2022 and 2028: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Daniel, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Carl, Lisa, Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shari, Tobias, Virginie E Walter.
- 2023 and 2029: Arlene, Brett, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harold, Italia, Jose, Katia, Lee, Margot, Nigel, Ophelia, Phillip, Rina, Sean, Tommy, Vince E Whitney.
