Tropical Cyclone Naming
1. Historical Background
The practice of naming storms (tropical cyclones) began years ago in order to help in the quick identification of storms in warning messages because names are presumed to be far easier to remember than numbers and technical terms. Many agree that appending names to storms makes it easier for the media to report on tropical cyclones, heightens interest in warnings and increases community preparedness.
Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are especially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, coastal bases, and ships at sea.
In the beginning, storms were named arbitrarily. An Atlantic storm that ripped off the mast of a boat named Antje became known as Antje's hurricane. Then the mid-1900's saw the start of the practice of using feminine names for storms.
In the pursuit of a more organized and efficient naming system, meteorologists later decided to identify storms using names from a list arranged alpabetically. Thus, a storm with a name which begins with A, like Anne, would be the first storm to occur in the year. Before the end of the 1900's, forecasters started using male names for those forming in the Southern Hemisphere.
Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. The original name lists featured only women's names. In 1979, men's names were introduced and they alternate with the women's names. Six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2008 list will be used again in 2014.
The only time that there is a change in the list is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting by the WMO Tropical Cyclone Committees (called primarily to discuss many other issues) the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it. Infamous storm names such as Katrina (USA, 2005), Mitch (Honduras, 1998) and Tracy (Darwin, 1974) are examples for this.
2. Procedure of Naming Tropical Cyclones
There is a strict procedure to determine a list of tropical cyclone names in an ocean basin(s) by the Tropical Cyclone Regional Body responsible for that basin(s) at its annual/biennial meeting. There are five tropical cyclone regional bodies, i.e. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, RA IV Hurricane Committee, and RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee. For instance, Hurricane Committee determines a pre-designated list of hurricane names for six years separately at its annual session. The pre-designated list of hurricane names are proposed by its members that include National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the North/Central America and the Caribbean. Naming procedures in other regions are almost the same as in the Caribbean. In general, tropical cyclones are named according to the rules at a regional level.
It is important to note that tropical cyclones/hurricanes are named neither after any particular person, nor with any preference in alphabetical sequence. The tropical cyclone/hurricane names selected are those that are familiar to the people in each region. Obviously, the main purpose of naming a tropical cyclone/hurricane is basically for people easily to understand and remember the tropical cyclone/hurricane in a region, thus to facilitate tropical cyclone/hurricane disaster risk awareness, preparedness, management and reduction.
3. Tropical Cyclone Names Worldwide
Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Names | |||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy | Arthur Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred | Ana Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Joaquin Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda | Alex Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Ian Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tobias Virginie Walter | Arlene Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irma Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney | Alberto Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sara Tony Valerie William |
The six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2013 list will be used again in 2019.
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Eastern North Pacific Names | |||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Alvin Barbara Cosme Dalila Erick Flossie Gil Henriette Ivo Juliette Kiko Lorena Manuel Narda Octave Priscilla Raymond Sonia Tico Velma Wallis Xina York Zelda | Amanda Boris Cristina Douglas Elida Fausto Genevieve Hernan Iselle Julio Karina Lowell Marie Norbert Odile Polo Rachel Simon Trudy Vance Winnie Xavier Yolanda Zeke | Andres Blanca Carlos Dolores Enrique Felicia Guillermo Hilda Ignacio Jimena Kevin Linda Marty Nora Olaf Patricia Rick Sandra Terry Vivian Waldo Xina York Zelda | Agatha Blas Celia Darby Estelle Frank Georgette Howard Isis Javier Kay Lester Madeline Newton Orlene Paine Roslyn Seymour Tina Virgil Winifred Xavier Yolanda Zeke | Adrian Beatriz Calvin Dora Eugene Fernanda Greg Hilary Irwin Jova Kenneth Lidia Max Norma Otis Pilar Ramon Selma Todd Veronica Wiley Xina York Zelda | Aletta Bud Carlotta Daniel Emilia Fabio Gilma Hector Ileana John Kristy Lane Miriam Norman Olivia Paul Rosa Sergio Tara Vicente Willa Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
These lists are also re-cycled every six years (the 2013 list will be used again in 2019).
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Central North Pacific Names | |||
List 1 | List 2 | List 3 | List 4 |
| Akoni Ema Hone Iona Keli Lala Moke Nolo Olana Pena Ulana Wale | Aka Ekeka Hene Iolana Keoni Lino Mele Nona Oliwa Pama Upana Wene | Alika Ele Huko Iopa Kika Lana Maka Neki Omeka Pewa Unala Wali | Ana Ela Halola Iune Kilo Loke Malia Niala Oho Pali Ulika Walaka |
The names are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is the top of the next list.
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Western North Pacific and the South China Sea Names (as of 2012) | |||||
Contributor | I | II | III | IV | V |
| Cambodia China DPR Korea HK, China Japan Lao PDR Macao, China Malaysia Micronesia Philippines RO Korea Thailand U.S.A. Vietnam Cambodia China DPR Korea HK, China Japan Lao PDR Macao, China Malaysia Micronesia Philippines RO Korea Thailand U.S.A. Vietnam | Damrey Haikui Kirogi Kai-Tak Tembin Bolaven Sanba Jelawat Ewiniar Maliksi Gaemi Prapiroon Maria Son-Tinh Bopha Wukong Sonamu Shanshan Yagi Leepi Bebinca Rumbia Soulik Cimaron Jebi Mangkhut Utor Trami | Kong-rey Yutu Toraji Man-yi Usagi Pabuk Wutip Sepat Fitow Danas Nari Wipha Francisco Lekima Krosa Haiyan Podul Lingling Kajiki Faxai Peipah Tapah Mitag Hagibis Neoguri Rammasun Matmo Halong | Nakri Fengshen Kalmaegi Fung-wong Kanmuri Phanfone Vongfong Nuri Sinlaku Hagupit Jangmi Mekkhala Higos Bavi Maysak Haishen Noul Dolphin Kujira Chan-hom Linfa Nangka Soudelor Molave Goni Atsani Etau Vamco | Krovanh Dujuan Mujigae Choi-wan Koppu Champi In-fa Melor Nepartak Lupit Mirinae Nida Omais Conson Chanthu Dianmu Mindulle Lionrock Kompasu Namtheun Malou Meranti Rai Malakas Megi Chaba Aere Songda | Sarika Haima Meari Ma-on Tokage Nock-ten Muifa Merbok Nanmadol Talas Noru Kulap Roke Sonca Nesat Haitang Nalgae Banyan Washi Pakhar Sanvu Mawar Guchol Talim Doksuri Khanun Vicente Saola |
RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center will assign a tropical cyclone a name from the list followed by a 4-digit identification number (in brackets). Names on the list will only be given to tropical cyclones of tropical storm strength or above.These names are used sequentially. That is, if the last storm of the year is Cimaron, the first storm of the next year is Jebi.
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Australian TCWC's Area of Responsibility (as of 2010) |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O PQ R S T UV WXYZ | Anika Billy Charlotte Dominic Ellie Freddy Gabrielle Herman Ilsa Jasper Kirrily Lincoln Megan Neville Olga Paul Robyn Sean Tasha Vince Zelia | Anthony Bianca Carlos Dianne Errol Fina Grant Heidi Iggy Jasmine Koji Lua Mitchell Narelle Oswald Peta Rusty Sandra Tim Victoria Zane | Alessia Bruce Catherine Dylan Edna Fletcher Gillian Hadi Ita Jack Kate Lam Marcia Nathan Olwyn Quang Raquel Stan Tatjana Uriah Yvette | Alfred Blanche Caleb Debbie Ernie Frances Greg Hilda Ira Joyce Kelvin Linda Marcus Nora Owen Penny Riley Savannah Trevor Veronica Wallace | Ann Blake Claudia Damien Esther Ferdinand Gretel Harold Imogen Joshua Kimi Lucas Marian Noah Odette Paddy Ruby Seth Tiffany Verdun |
Note: The single list of names that are used by all of the Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) was introduced for the start of the 2008/09 season, replacing the three lists that existed previously.
The name of a new tropical cyclone is usually selected from this list of names. If a named cyclone moves into the Australian region from another country's zone of responsibility, the name assigned by that other country will be retained. The names are normally chosen in sequence, when the list is exhausted, we return to the start of the list.
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RSMC Nadi's Area of Responsibility (as of 2010) | ||||
List A | List B | List C | List D | List E (Standby) |
| Ana Bina Cody Dovi Eva Fili Gina Hagar Irene Judy Kerry Lola Mal Nat Olo Pita Rae Sheila Tam Urmil Vaianu Wati Xavier Yani Zita | Arthur Becky Chip Denia Elisa Fotu Glen Hettie Innis Joni Ken Lin Mick Nisha Oli Pat Rene Sarah Tomas Vania Wilma Yasi Zaka | Atu Bune Cyril Daphne Evan Freda Garry Heley Ian June Kofi Lusi Mike Nute Odile Pam Reuben Solo Tuni Ula Victor Winston Yalo Zena | Amos Bart Colin Donna Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kala Leo Mona Neil Oma Pami Rita Sarai Tino Vicky Wiki Yolande Zazu | Alvin Bela Cook Dean Eden Florin Garth Hart Isa Julie Kelvin Louise Moses Niko Opeti Pearl Rex Suki Troy Vanessa Wano Yvonne Zidane |
Lists A, B, C, and D are used sequentially one after the other. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year. List E is a list of replacement names if they become necessary. Wellington TCWC will name the cyclone, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, by using the next name from RSMC Nadi's list, if a tropical cyclone in the Wellington TCWC's area of responsibility, Wellington.
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Port Moresby TCWC's Area of Responsibility (as of 2010) | |||
List A | List B (Standby) | ||
| Alu Buri Dodo Emau Fere Hibu Ila Kama Lobu Maila | Nou Obaha Paia Ranu Sabi Tau Ume Vali Wau Auram | ||
Lists A and B are used sequentially one after the other. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.
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Jakarta TCWc's Area of Responsibility | ||
List A | List B (Standby) | |
Anggrek Bakung Cempaka Dahlia Flamboyan Kenanga Lili Mawar Seroja Teratai | Anggur Belimbing Duku Jambu Lengkeng Mangga Nangka Pisang Rambuta Sawo | |
The name of a new tropical cyclone is determined by sequential cycling through List A. Standby List B is used to replace retired names in List A and any replacement will be added to the bottom of List A to maintain the alphabetical order.
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Northern Indian Ocean Names (as of 2010) | ||||
Contributors | List 1 | List 2 | List 3 | List 4 |
| Bangladesh India Maldives Mayanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand | Onil Agni Hibaru Pyarr Baaz Fanoos Mala Mukda | Ogni Akash Gonu Yemyin Sidr Nargis Rashmi Khai Muk | Nisha Bijli Aila Phyan Ward Laila Bandu Phet | Giri Jal Keila Thane Murjan Nilam Mahasen Phailin |
Contributors | List 5 | List 6 | List 7 | List 8 |
| Bangladesh India Maldives Mayanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand | Helen Lehar Madi Nanauk Hudhud Nilofar Priya Komen | Chapala Megh Roanu Kyant Nada Vardah Asiri Mora | Ockhi Sagar Mekunu Daye Luban Titli Gigum Phethai | Fani Vayu Hikaa Kyarr Maha Bulbul Soba Amphan |
The RSMC tropical cyclones New Delhi will give a tropical cyclone an identification name from the above name list. The identification system covers both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
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Southwest Indian Ocean Names (as of 2010) |
CYCLONE SEASON2010/2011
| CYCLONE SEASON2011/2012
| CYCLONE SEASON2012/2013
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These lists are used sequentially, and they are not rotated every few years as are the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific lists.