Hurricane names are chosen from predetermined lists maintained by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and regional meteorological committees. These lists consist of short, easy-to-pronounce male and female names that are used in alphabetical order and alternate between male and female names. The names are chosen to be culturally appropriate and recognizable for the regions affected by the storms. The lists are recycled every six years, but particularly severe or deadly storm names are retired and replaced to avoid confusion and maintain sensitivity. This naming system helps meteorologists and the public communicate clearly about storms.
Naming Process
- Names are selected years in advance by the WMO and regional committees of meteorological services.
- Names alternate by gender and follow alphabetical order for each hurricane season.
- Each region (Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, etc.) uses its own set of lists.
- Names are chosen for ease of communication, pronunciation, brevity, and cultural appropriateness.
Retiring Names
- Names of especially destructive or deadly hurricanes are retired at committee meetings.
- Retired names are replaced with new names starting with the same letter.
- Examples of retired names include Katrina (replaced by Katia) and Harvey (replaced by Harold).
This approach simplifies communication, avoids confusion with similar storm names, and respects the cultural impact of significant hurricanes.
