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Hurricanes are named by using the letters of the alphabet. Names are chosen in alphabetical order, alternating in gender for each storm. 21 letters of the alphabet are used in each year's list and Q, U, X,Y and Z are skipped.

If the number of named storms exceeds 21 then the NHC uses letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha, beta, gamma...) This has only happened once: in the 2005 hurricane season which had 27 named storms all the way up to tropical storm Zeta. At the beginning of the new year the names list is reset back to an "A" name.

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Related Questions

How cyclones ARE given names?

The National Weather board has a list of names each year for storms including cyclones. The storms are named from that list. The names are randomly selected.


Are hurricanes given names while tropical storms are not?

Hurricanes and tropical storms are both named. Hurricanes have more detailed and already thought of names, while tropical storms aren't as important.


How are hurricanes named in the Caribbean?

The World Meteorological Organization, an agency of the United Nations, names storms.


How are storms named?

Storms are typically named by meteorological organizations to help identify and track them more easily. Different regions have different methods for naming storms, with some using sequential lists of names, while others rotate through a set list each year. Names can be derived from various sources, such as people's names, geographical locations, or animals.


When should you name a hurricane?

Hurricanes and Tropical storms are already named years before the seasons begin. From the year 2008-2013, the storms are already named, then they "recycle" the names and starting 2014 the names start over and begin with the names that were used in 2008. Look on Noaa.gov and you will be able to see all the names for 2008 and get weather information, preparation, and forecasts.


What was the most active Atlantic Hurricane season on record?

2005 was the most active hurricane season on record with 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes. There were so many storms the hurricane center had run out of names so the last 6 names used greek letters. By the end of August there had been 12 named storms compared to 4 by the end of August 2009.


Are all major storms named or just certain types of storms?

Only tropical storms and hurricanes are named.


What do scientists do when they run out of letters of the alphabet in a given year for hurricane names?

If the list of names run out in a hurricane season, then the Greek alphabet is used to name storms. This system was only used once, in the 2005 hurricane season, where Wilma was followed by storms names Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta.


What are the names of the next 2 Hurricanes?

The next to Atlantic tropical storms will be named Gaston and Hermine.


Do storms have names?

Yes, they have many names.


Do tsunamis have names?

No, honey, tsunamis don't have names like your pet cat. They're just giant waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. So, next time you see a tsunami coming, don't bother asking for its name, just run for higher ground!


How are hurriancanes named?

A tropical system is given a name when it reaches tropical storm intensity (winds of at least 39 mph) Hurricanes are named alphabetically with names of alternating gender (for example, so far in 2010 have been Alex, Bonnie, and Colin). The letters Q, U, X, Y an Z are not used.because there aren't enough names that start with those letters. Names are taken from a list that is repeated every six years, names of storms are retired if a storm becomes particularly famous (such as Andrew or Katrina). There are separate lists for storms in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins. If there are more storms than the 21 names allotted, the storms are named with letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha, beta, gamma...). This has only happened once.