2020 Hurricane Names and History of Tropical Storm Naming

Tropical storm systems get a name when the surface winds reach 39 mph.  This would make it a Tropical Storm. When better organized and the winds increase to 74 mph, the it becomes a Hurricane. It other parts of the world these can be called typhoons (Asian Pacific), cylones (South Pacific and Indian Ocean).

In a normal year, the hurricane season in the Atlantic would be between June 1 and November 30. The peak activity normal occurs in the second week of September when tropical ocean waters are at their warmest.

Tropical Storm Tracking History

For the Atlantic, there are extensive records dating back to 1851 thanks to ship records. But it is not perfect. The satellite era dramatically improved upon the awareness of storms in the open water. The Pacific Ocean database is less extensive, beginning in 1949.

 

Naming Tropical Storms

A few hundred years ago residents of the Caribbean Islands named storms that hit based on the Roman Catholic Saint of the day.  In early US meteorology they were named for the latitude and longitude where they were first identified, but this was more complicated than it was worth.

World War II

Meteorologists in the Pacific used women’s names. There is still some debate as to where this was endearing Navy officers honoring their wives and girlfriends, or a tribute to ex girlfriends (for real).

1953

The naming system was officially adopted by the National Hurricane Center. Names were given in alphabetic order.

1978

Mens names were introduced in the Pacific storm list.

1979

Mens names were included in the Atlantic storm list. Originally the male and names were alternated.On even years they began with mens names and odd years began with women’s names.

For each year, 21 names were given on the list, excluding Q, U, X, Y, and Z.  If more occurred, then the Greek Alphabet was used as in the record year 2005.

World Meteorological Organization

This international body organizes the list of names for each ocean basin. Lists for 6 years are in place, and then repeats.

 

2020 Names For The Atlantic Basin

Names for 2021 to 2025 are below

Retiring A Name

When a storm makes landfall then causes extensive damage and casualties, the name may get retired. A new one will be put in its place for then ext time that list is used six years later.

Satellite Video Of Katrina

Katrina was one well known example of a retired storm. Check out the full satellite loop

 

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