Some people might remember the days when hurricanes were referred to only by their coordinates. Today, the names of some storms have become almost as familiar to us as the names of our friends and family members.
The World Meteorological Organization began doling out names in 1953, and all hurricanes had female names. By 1979, women's rights groups had put up enough of a fuss to cause the WMO to insert men's names on the list and alternate them.
Another change in the naming process came about a few years ago when the WMO began to include French and Spanish names in the Atlantic system, reflecting the languages of countries affected by Caribbean hurricanes.
The WMO has six lists, which rotate. The names for 2006 storms will not be used again until 2011, but some will never be recycled. Names of hurricanes that result in tremendous damage are deleted from the list. Katrina, Andrew, Ivan and Frances are likely never to be seen again.
The list for this year is:
- Alberto
- Beryl
- Chris
- Debby
- Ernesto
- Florence
- Gordon
- Helene
- Isaac
- Joyce
- Kirk
- Leslie
- Michael
- Nadine
- Oscar
- Patty
- Rafael
vSandy
- Tony
- Valerie
- William
Q, Y, X and Z are not used.
This year is expected to be another very active hurricane season, but the WMO is prepared with other names just in case.
The Greek alphabet - Alpha, Beta, Gamma, etc. -- is used if the standard list of names is exhausted, as it was last year when a record 28 storms formed. The long-term averages for the number of named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes are 11, six and two, respectively.
Hurricane veterans quickly learn that a Category 1 storm is comparatively mild, while a Category 5 means you might want to consider moving to the Midwest. Here's how forecasters categorize storms:
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