Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and the World Meteorological Organization has announced 21 pre-selected storm names for this year. Names are reused every six years but can be retired if associated with particularly damaging storms. The last major name retirement was Dorian, after it caused over $5 billion in damages. The naming convention, starting in 1953 with only female names, reflects past gender biases but now alternates between male and female. In cases where the list runs out, supplemental names are introduced, breaking with past Greek alphabet practices.
The naming system for hurricanes began in 1953, initially using only female names, reflecting outdated notions of gender and unpredictability.
The World Meteorological Organization has a list of 21 names for storms this year, formed of traditional names that alternate between male and female.
Hurricane Dorian's retirement followed its devastation in 2019, underscoring the impact storm naming can have when a name is associated with such severity.
The World Meteorological Organization allows for supplemental names if more than 21 storms occur, a change aimed at addressing naming limitations.
#hurricane-naming #storm-season #world-meteorological-organization #hurricane-dorian #climate-change
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