How Hurricanes are Named in 2024: The Process Explained
As the Atlantic hurricane season approaches, many people around the globe are unaware of the process behind naming these powerful storms. In this article, we’ll explore how hurricanes are named, including the new list of names for the 2024 season.
The Origins of Hurricane Naming
The practice of naming hurricanes dates back to the early 20th century, when the U.S. Weather Bureau (now known as the National Hurricane Center) began using female names for storms in the Atlantic. The practice was adopted to make it easier to identify and communicate about different storms. In the 1950s, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) took over the naming of hurricanes, and the process has remained largely the same since then.
The List of Names
The WMO maintains a list of 21 names for each letter of the alphabet, except Q, U, X, Y, and Z. The names are selected from a pool of submissions from countries around the world and are chosen based on their ease of pronunciation and recognition. The list of names is recycled every six years, with the exception of those names that are retired due to the severity of damage caused by a particular storm.
The Naming Process
The naming process for hurricanes is as follows:
- The Storm Forms: The National Hurricane Center (NHC) begins monitoring a low-pressure system that shows signs of strengthening into a tropical cyclone.
- The Storm Strengthens: If the storm strengthens into a tropical depression, a tropical storm, or a hurricane, it is assigned a name from the predetermined list.
- The Name is Announced: The NHC announces the name of the storm on their website, social media, and through various media outlets.
- The Storm is Monitored: The NHC continues to monitor the storm’s strength, direction, and speed, providing updates and forecasts to the public.
New List of Names for the 2024 Season
The WMO has released the list of names for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which includes:
Amanda, Bronson, Camille, Daniel, Elena, Felix, Gabrielle, Hernan, Idalia, Jaxon, Kayla, Lucas, Magdalena, Nolan, Odetta, Peter, Rachel, Sebastian, Tanya, Victor, and Wiley.
Why Retire Names?
In some cases, the damage caused by a hurricane is so severe that the name becomes synonymous with destruction and devastation. To avoid this, the WMO retires names that have caused significant loss of life or property damage. Since 1953, only 28 names have been retired, with some, like Katrina and Harvey, becoming household names due to the extent of the damage they caused.
In conclusion, the process of naming hurricanes is a vital part of storm forecasting and communication. By understanding how hurricanes are named, we can better prepare for these powerful storms and stay informed during an emergency.
