The Atlantic hurricane season begins on 1 June and ends on 30 November, with forecasters predicting a volatile year ahead. As in previous years, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a pre-approved list of 21 names for potential storms, including Andrea, Dexter, and Gabrielle. These names are reused every six years unless retired due to significant damage or fatalities. The most recent name to be retired was Dorian, following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, which caused over $5 billion in damages across the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the US southeast, and resulted in at least 77 deaths.
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The tradition of naming hurricanes began in 1953 when the US National Hurricane Center adopted a list composed entirely of female names—reflecting outdated and sexist notions of unpredictability. It wasn’t until 1979 that male names were added to the list, which now alternates between masculine and feminine names. For a name to be considered, it must be short, easy to pronounce, and culturally appropriate across languages spoken in the Western Hemisphere.
In the event that this year produces more than 21 named storms, a supplemental list will be used. This system replaced the previous method of resorting to the Greek alphabet, which was abandoned in 2021. Some names can be retired even if the storm was not a hurricane; for instance, “Allison” was removed from future lists following the damage caused by Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. In recent years, names like Laura, Ida, and Fiona have been retired due to the significant destruction left in their wake.
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While the list in focus pertains to the Atlantic, separate naming conventions exist for Pacific storms, which are referred to as cyclones or typhoons depending on their region. Although these storms often receive less attention in the UK, understanding naming practices and the growing intensity of such storms due to climate change remains essential. With more powerful hurricanes on the horizon, residents in high-risk areas are urged to prepare evacuation plans, assemble emergency kits, and familiarise themselves with local shelters in advance of the season.
