Tropical Cyclone Names
For several hundred years, many hurricanes in the West Indies were named after the particular saint's day on which the hurricane occurred. Ivan R. Tannehill describes in his book "Hurricanes" the major tropical storms of recorded history and mentions many hurricanes named after saints. For example, there was "Hurricane Santa Ana" which struck Puerto Rico with exceptional violence on July 26, 1825, and "San Felipe" (the first) and "San Felipe" (the second) which hit Puerto Rico on September 13 in both 1876 and 1928.
The first known meteorologist to assign names to tropical cyclones was Clement Wragge, an Australian meteorologist. Before the end of the l9th century, he began by using letters of the Greek alphabet, then from Greek and Roman mythology and progressed to the use of feminine names. In the United states, an early example of the use of a woman's name for a storm was in the novel "Storm" by George R. Stewart, published by Random House in 1941. During World War II, this practice became widespread in weather map discussions among forecasters, especially Air Force and Navy meteorologists who plotted the movements of storms over the wide expanses of the Pacific Ocean.
In 1953, the United States abandoned a confusing a two-year old plan to name storms by a phonetic alphabet (Able, Baker, Charlie, etc.). That year, this Nation's weather services began using female names for storms. The practice of naming hurricanes solely after women came to an end in 1978 when men's and women's names were included in the Eastern North Pacific storm lists. In 1979, male and female names were included in lists for the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Why Tropical Cyclones Are Named
Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, airports, coastal bases, and ships at sea.
The use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time. For example, one hurricane can be moving slowly westward in the Gulf of Mexico, while at exactly the same time another hurricane can be moving rapidly northward along the Atlantic coast. In the past, confusion and false rumors have arisen when storm advisories broadcast from one radio station were mistaken for warnings concerning an entirely different storm located hundreds of miles away.
The name lists have an international flavor because hurricanes affect other nations and are tracked by the public and weather services of countries other than the United States. Names for these lists agreed upon by the nations involved during international meetings of the World Meteorological Organization.
The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting by the WMO committee (called primarily to discuss many other issues) the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it.
Atlantic Names
The National Hurricane Center (RSMC Miami, FL), is responsible for the Atlantic basin west of 30°W. If a disturbance intensifies into a tropical storm the Center will give the storm a name from one of the six lists below.
A separate set is used each year beginning with the first name in the set. After the sets have all been used, they will be used again. The 2007 set, for example, will be used again to name storms in the year 2013.
The letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are not included because of the scarcity of names beginning with those letters. If over 21 named tropical cyclones occur in a year, the Greek alphabet will be used following the "W" name.
In addition, after major land-falling storms having major economic impact, the names are retired.
Eastern North Pacific Names
2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alma Boris Cristina Douglas Elida Fausto Genevieve Hernan Iselle Julio Karina Lowell Marie Norbert Odile Polo Rachel Simon Trudy Vance Winnie Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Andres Blanca Carlos Dolores Enrique Felicia Guillermo Hilda Ignacio Jimena Kevin Linda Marty Nora Olaf Patricia Rick Sandra Terry Vivian Waldo Xina York Zelda |
Agatha Blas Celia Darby Estelle Frank Georgette Howard Isis Javier Kay Lester Madelime Newton Orlene Paine Roslyn Seymour Tina Virgil Winifred Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Adrian Beatriz Calvin Dora Eugene Fernanda Greg Hilary Irwin Jova Kenneth Lidia Max Norma Otis Pilar Ramon Selma Todd Veronica Wiley Xina York Zelda |
Aletta Bud Carlotta Daniel Emilia Fabio Gilma Hector Ileana John Kristy Lane Miriam Norman Olivia Paul Rosa Sergio Tara Vicente Willa Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Alvin Barbara Cosme Dalilia Erick Flossie Gil Henriette Ivo Juliette Kiko Lorena Manuel Narda Octave Priscilla Raymond Sonia Tico Velma Wallis Xina York Zelda |
The National Hurricane Center (RSMC Miami, FL), is also responsible for the North East Pacific basin east of 140°W.
If a disturbance intensifies into a tropical storm the Center will give the storm a name from one of the six lists below. A separate set is used each year beginning with the first name in the set.
After the sets have all been used, they will be used again. The 2007 set, for example, will be used again to name storms in the year 2013.
Central North Pacific Names
List 1 | List 2 | List 3 | List 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Akoni Ema Hone Iona Keli Lala Moke Nolo Olana Pena Ulana Wale |
Aka Ekeka Hene Iolana Keoni Lino Mele Nona Oliwa Pama Upana Wene |
Alika Ele Huko Iopa Kika Lana Maka Neki Omeka Pewa Unala Wali |
Ana Ela Halola Iune Kilo Loke Malia Niala Oho Pali Ulika Walaka |
Central Pacific Hurricane Center (RSMC Honolulu) area of responsibility is from 140°W longitude to 180° longitude. The names below are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is the top of the next list.
Western North Pacific Ocean/South China Sea
Contributed by | I | II | III | IV | V |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cambodia China North Korea Hong Kong Japan Laos Macau Malaysia Micronesia Philippines South Korea Thailand U.S.A. Viet Nam Cambodia China North Korea Hong Kong Japan Laos Macau Malaysia Micronesia Philippines South Korea Thailand U.S.A. Viet Nam |
Damrey Longwang Kirogi Kai-tak Tembin Bolaven Chanchu Jelawat Ewiniar Bilis Kaemi Prapiroon Maria Saomai Bopha Wukong Sonamu Shanshan Yagi Xangsane Bebinca Rumbia Soulik Cimaron Chebi Durian Utor Trami |
Kong-Rey Yutu Toraji Man-yi Usagi Pabuk Wutip Sepat Fitow Danas Nari Wipha Francisco Lekima Krosa Haiyan Podul Lingling Kajiki Faxai Peipah Tapah Mitag Hagibis Noguri Rammasun Matmo Halong |
Nakri Fengshen Kalmaegi Fung-wong Kammuri Phanfone Vongfong Nuri Sinlaku Hagupit Changmi Mekkhala Higos Bavi Maysak Haishen Pongsona Yanyan Kujira Chan-hom Linfa Nangka Soudelor Molave Koni Morakot Etau Vamco |
Krovanh Dujuan Maemi Choi-wan Koppu Ketsana Parma Melor Nepartak Lupit Sudal Nida Omais Conson Chanthu Dianmu Mindulle Tingting Kompasu Namtheun Malou Meranti Rananim Malakas Megi Chaba Aere Songda |
Sarika Haima Meari Ma-on Tokage Nock-Ten Muifa Merbok Nanmadol Talas Noru Kulap Roke Sonca Nesat Haitang Nalgae Banyan Washi Matsa Sanvu Mawar Guchol Talim Nabi Khanun Vicente Saola |
Meanings of these names |
RSMC Tokyo - Typhoon Center is responsible for the western North Pacific (west of 180°) and the South China Sea.
The practice of naming storms, which usually brings destruction, after persons appears to run counter to Oriental sensibilities.
Thus, Asians like the Japanese and Chinese prefer to name their storms after other living things and also after inanimate objects like flowers, rivers etc.
These names are used sequentially. If the last storm of the year is Cimaron, the first storm of the next year is Chebi.
Australian Region Names
Western | Northern | Eastern | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adeline Bertie Clare Daryl Emma Floyd Glenda Hubert Isobel Jacob Kara Lee Melanie Nicholas Ophelia Pancho Rosie Selwyn Tiffany Victor Zelia |
Alison Billy Cathy Damien Ellie Frederic Gabrielle Hamish Ilsa Joseph Kirrily Leon Marcia Norman Olga Paul Robyn Sean Terri Vincent Yvette | Alex Bessi Clancy Dianne Errol Fiona Grant Harriet Iggy Jana Ken Linda Mitchell Nicky Oscar Phoebe Raymond Sally Tim Vivienne Willy |
Amelia Bruno Coral Dominic Esther Ferdinand Gretel Hector Irma Jake Kay Laurence Marian Neville Olwyn Phil Rachel Samuel Thelma Verdun Winsome |
Alistair Bonnie Craig Debbie Evan Farrah George Helen Ira Jasmine Kim Laura Matt Narelle Oswald Penny Russell Sandra Trevor Valerie Warwick |
Alfred Blanch Caleb Denise Ernie Frances Greg Hilda Ivan Joyce Kelvin Liz Marcus Nora Owen Polly Richard Sadie Theo Verity Wallace |
Alice Bruce Cecily Dennis Edna Fletcher Gillian Harold Ita Jack Kitty Les May Nathan Olinda Pete Ruby Stan Tammie Vaughan Wylva |
Anika Bernie Claudia Des Erica Fritz Grace Harvey Ingrid Jim Kate Larry Monica Nelson Odette Pierre Rebecca Sherly Tania Vernon Wendy |
The Perth Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (TCWC) area of responsibility is the Southeast Indian Ocean.
The Darwin TCWC area of responsibility is Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpenteria of north Australia.
The Brisbane TCWC is responsible for the Coral Sea off northeast Australia.
Each region uses these lists sequentially. If the last storm of the year is Lisa, the first storm of the next year is Marcus.
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Names
List A | List B |
---|---|
Epi Guba Ila Kama Matere Rowe Tako Upia |
Abul Emau Gule Igo Kamit Tiogo Ume |
The Port Moresby TCWC is responsible for the Solomon Sea and Gulf of Papua. The lists are used sequentially. If the last storm of the year is Igo, the first storm of the next year is Kamit.
Fiji Region Names
List A | List B | List C | List D | List E |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ami Beni Cillia Dovi Eseta Fili Gina Heta Ivy Judy Kerry Lola Meena Nancy Olaf Percy Rae Sheila Tam Vaianu Wati Xavier Yani Zita |
Arthur Becky Cliff Daman Elisa Funa Gene Hettie Innis Joni Ken Lin Mick Nisha Oli Pat Rene Sarah Tomas Vania Wilma - Yasi Zaka |
Atu Bune Cyril Daphne Evan Freda Garry Helene Ian June Koko Lusi Mike Nute Odile Pam Reuben Solo Tui Victor Winston - Yalo Zena |
Amos Bart Cora Dani Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kim Leo Mona Neil Oma Paula Rita Sose Trina Vicky Waka - Yolande Zoe |
Ana Bina Chris Donna Eva Fanny Glen Hagar Irene Julie Kala Louise Mal Nate Olo Pami Rex - Tino Vanessa - - Yvonne Zazu |
The RSMC Nadi, in Fiji, are of responsibility is Southwest Pacific Ocean extending from 120° to 160°E and from the equator to 25°S.
Lists A, B, C, and D are used sequentially one after the other.
The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.
List E is a list of replacement names if they become necessary.
Southwest Indian Ocean Names
2006-07 | 2007-08 |
---|---|
Anita Bondo Clovis Dora Enok Favio Gamede Humba Indlada Jaya Katse Lisebo Magoma Newa Olipa Panda Quincy Rabeca Shyra Tsholo Unokubi Vuyane Warura Xylo Yone Zouleha |
Ariel Bongwe Celina Dama Elnus Fame Gula Hondo Ivan Jokwe Kamba Lola Marabe Nungu Ofelia Pulane Qoli Rossana Sama Tuma Uzale Vongai Warona Xina Yamba Zefa |
The RSMC La Réunion area of responsibility is Southwest Indian Ocean. Madagascar, Reunion, Seychelles, Comores, and Mauritius use a common list of names for identifying tropical depressions.
Mauritius is responsible for naming depressions forming in the region lying between longitude 55°E and 90°E. Madagascar is responsible for the region west of longitude 55°E.
Whenever a cyclone moves from the Australian region of responsibility to that of Mauritius, it is given a hyphenated name comprising the names from both regions for a period of about 24 hours. Thereafter it is known by the South West Indian Ocean name.
North Indian Ocean
Contributed by | List I | List II | List III | List IV |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bangladesh India Maldives Myanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand Bangladesh India Maldives Myanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand |
Onil Agni Hibaru Pyarr Baaz Fanoos Mala Mukda Helen Lehar Madi Na-nauk Hudhud Nilofar Priya Komen |
Ogni Akash Gonu Yemyin Sidr Nargis Abe Khai-Muk Chapala Megh Vaali Kyant Nada Vardah Sama Mora |
Nisha Bijli Aila Phyan Ward Laila Bandu Phet Ockhi Sagar Baazu Daye Luban Titli Das Phethai |
Giri Jal Keila Thane Mujan Nilam Mahasen Phailin Fani Vayu Hikaa Kyarr Maha Bulbul Soba Amphan |
RSMC New Delhi, India is responsible for the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
These lists will be used sequentially. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.