How hurricanes are named (and why)

[Rhiannon12866]

Giving human names to hurricanes may seem odd, but it's part of a major shift in our relationship with tropical cyclones over the past 60 years.

Hurricane Irene is poised to wreak havoc along the U.S. East Coast this weekend, with some 600 miles of shoreline under official hurricane warnings. After hitting North Carolina's Outer Banks Saturday, the storm is expected to batter several major cities, including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.

As with most big hurricanes that threaten land, Irene's human name has become a buzzword throughout her projected path. Millions of people are hearing, speaking, researching and remembering it, and if the National Hurricane Center's forecasts hold true, the name "Irene" could join the ranks of legendary storms such as Betsy, Andrew, Hugo or Katrina.

But where do those names come from? Why do we give human names to violent, mindless masses of water and wind? The practice dates back to the 1950s, although people have been naming tropical cyclones for centuries.

Before the 1940s, only the worst storms were given names, usually based on the place or time of year they made landfall: There was the Sea Islands Hurricane of 1893, the Great Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the Miami Hurricane of 1926 and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, to name a few. Scientists and forecasters often assigned unofficial numbers to tropical cyclones — Tropical Storm One, Hurricane Two, etc. — but the practice of using more memorable and relatable names didn't begin until the 1950 hurricane season.

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/blogs/how-hurricanes-are-named-and-why


SPIN CYCLE: Hurricane Irene is seen from the International Space Station as it passes over the Caribbean Sea on Aug. 22, 2011. (Photo: Ron Garan/NASA)

[Lucinda]

1. Interesting link! Atlantic Name list for this year:

For those who don't click through:

2011 Atlantic hurricane season:

Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney


Thanks much!

[Rhiannon12866]

2. I thought this was quite interesting, considering the preoccupation just now.

A couple of years ago, I could think of someone I knew for pretty much every name on the list. This year, not so much. But I did have a Great Aunt Irene, lost her in the '90s. She was the nicest lady imaginable... :shrug: :hi:

[ejpoeta]

3. My daughter was pretty excited when they had hurricane Emily. I was glad it didn't do

anything to anyone though. The funny thing is everyone always called her hurricane Emily because she has a lot of energy and talks a lot. She probably doesn't even remember that anymore... She's 12 now.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. It's definitely exciting - and fun - to have a hurricane with your name

As long as it isn't a bad one. I have an idea that nobody's going to be naming their child Katrina for a very, very long time... x( :hi:

[Dennis Donovan]

5. kick and rec - fascinating info!

[Rhiannon12866]

6. I thought it was pretty topical

And I've always wondered how they chose the names. I found this while reading a gas-related topic, perhaps even the one you posted. I read that one, too... ;)