On what basis are hurricanes,cyclones or typhoons named?

Getting Started

When it comes to severe weather events such as hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons, a standardized naming system is essential to facilitate communication and tracking. Naming these powerful storms not only helps to identify and refer to them, but also assists in raising awareness, issuing warnings, and conducting research. The practice of naming tropical storms goes back many decades and has evolved into a well-defined international system. In this article, we will explore the basics of naming hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons, highlighting the criteria, history, and importance of naming conventions.

Historical background

Before the advent of modern naming systems, hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons were identified primarily by their geographic location or by the date and time of their occurrence. However, this led to confusion and made it difficult to distinguish between multiple storms. To address this problem, meteorologists and weather organizations began assigning names to tropical storms in the mid-20th century.
The first official naming system was developed by the United States Weather Bureau in 1953. Initially, only female names were used to identify hurricanes. In 1979, however, the system was modified to include male names as well. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) took over the naming process in 1972 and now works with regional weather centers around the world to assign names to tropical storms in different basins.

Naming Criteria

The naming of hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons follows specific criteria established by the WMO. Each basin has its own set of names, and the WMO maintains a list of names that are used on a rotating basis over a six-year period. The criteria for naming storms are as follows:

1. Geographic relevance: Names are often chosen based on the region where the storm originates or makes landfall. For example, hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean are named from a predetermined list that includes English, Spanish, and French names to reflect the cultural diversity of the regions affected.

2. Gender neutrality: Since 1979, both male and female names have been used for storms to promote gender equality and avoid any bias in the naming process.

3. Avoid controversial names: Names that are politically, socially, or culturally sensitive are not used to avoid potential conflict or controversy.

4. Memorability and Pronunciation: Names that are easy to remember and pronounce are preferred to ensure effective communication and public awareness.

Naming lists and retirement

The WMO maintains a set of naming lists for each basin, and these lists are reused every six years. However, when a storm becomes particularly destructive or deadly, its name is retired from the list and replaced with a new name. The decision to retire a name is made by the WMO Regional Association Hurricane Committee or similar authorities in other basins.

Retirement of a name is done to avoid confusion and to honor the victims of significant storms. For example, the names Katrina, Sandy, and Haiyan were retired after the devastating hurricanes that occurred in the Atlantic, North Atlantic, and Western North Pacific basins, respectively. The retired names will be replaced with new names that follow the same criteria and guidelines established by the WMO.

Conclusion

The naming of hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons is an integral part of weather forecasting and communication. It allows for efficient tracking and monitoring of these powerful storms, and helps raise public awareness and issue timely warnings. The criteria and guidelines established by the World Meteorological Organization ensure that the naming process remains standardized and unbiased. By understanding the basis of tropical storm naming, we can better understand the meaning and importance of these naming conventions in the field of Earth science and weather forecasting.

FAQs

On what basis are hurricanes, cyclones, or typhoons named?

Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are named based on established naming systems developed by meteorological organizations. There are different naming systems in different regions of the world.

How are hurricanes named in the Atlantic Basin?

In the Atlantic Basin, hurricanes are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States. The NHC uses a predetermined list of names that are assigned to storms in alphabetical order. The list includes both male and female names, and it is updated and recycled every six years.

What is the naming system for cyclones in the Indian Ocean?

In the Indian Ocean, cyclones are named by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center in New Delhi, India. They use a system where cyclones are given names derived from a list of predetermined names contributed by different countries in the region.

How are typhoons named in the Western Pacific?

Typhoons in the Western Pacific are named by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The JMA uses a list of names that are assigned to typhoons in sequential order as they develop throughout the year. The names on the list are contributed by different countries in the region.

Are there any specific rules or criteria for naming hurricanes, cyclones, or typhoons?

Yes, there are certain rules and criteria followed for naming these tropical storms. The names chosen are usually short, easy to pronounce, and not likely to be confused with other storm names. They also reflect the cultural diversity of the regions affected by these storms.

What happens if a hurricane, cyclone, or typhoon causes significant damage or loss of life?

If a hurricane, cyclone, or typhoon results in significant damage or loss of life, the name assigned to that storm is retired and will not be used again in the future. This is done as a way to honor the victims and avoid any confusion or insensitivity associated with using the same name again.