Tropical cyclone naming facts for kids

Tropical and subtropical cyclones are given names by different weather centers. This helps everyone, from weather experts to the public, talk about these storms more easily. Naming storms also prevents confusion if several storms are happening at the same time in the same ocean area.

Usually, a storm gets a name once its winds reach a certain speed, like 61 kilometers per hour (38 mph). The name comes from a special list made for that ocean area. However, some storms in the Western Pacific get named even earlier, when they are just starting to form. In the Southern Hemisphere, storms need to have strong winds around their center before they get a name.

Before storms had personal names, they were often named after places, objects, or even the saint's day they happened on. A meteorologist from Queensland, Australia, named Clement Wragge, is often given credit for being the first to use personal names for weather systems between 1887 and 1907. After he retired, this idea wasn't used for a while. It was brought back during World War II for storms in the Western Pacific. Since then, official naming systems and lists have been created for major storms in many ocean areas around the world.

How Storms Get Their Names

Currently, eleven different weather centers officially name tropical cyclones. Once a storm is named, it keeps that name throughout its life. This makes it easier to share important information about the storm and its dangers with everyone. It's especially helpful when many storms are active at once in the same ocean.

Names are usually chosen in order from special lists. A storm typically gets a name when its winds reach about 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph). But the rules can be a bit different depending on the ocean area. For example, in the Western Pacific, some storms get named when they are still weak, or when they enter a specific area managed by PAGASA (the Philippine weather agency). In the Southern Hemisphere, storms must have strong, gale-force winds around their center before they are named.

Any country that is part of the World Meteorological Organization's hurricane, typhoon, or tropical cyclone committees can ask for a storm's name to be removed from the lists. A name is taken off the list if many members agree that the storm caused a lot of damage, deaths, or had a big impact. A new name is then suggested and voted on. Sometimes, a suggested name might be rejected if it's hard to spell or say, sounds too much like a recent storm, or is too long for modern communication like social media. PAGASA also removes names of big storms if they cause at least ₱1 billion (Philippine pesos) in damage or at least 300 deaths.

North Atlantic Ocean Storms

Further information: List of retired Atlantic hurricane names

Hurricane Lee at its strongest in September 2023

In the North Atlantic Ocean, tropical or subtropical storms are named by the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC). They get a name when their winds reach at least 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph) for one minute. The names come from one of six lists that rotate each year. These lists are kept by the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) RA IV Hurricane Committee. The letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are skipped. The names switch between male and female. If a storm causes a lot of damage, its name is removed from the list, and a new name is chosen at the next committee meeting.

Before 2021, if all the names on the yearly list were used, extra storms were named using Greek letters. But in March 2021, the WMO decided to use a backup list of names instead, to avoid confusion.

Eastern and Central Pacific Ocean Storms

Further information: List of retired Pacific hurricane names

Hurricane Otis at its strongest in October 2023

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, two different centers name tropical cyclones. They do this for the World Meteorological Organization when a storm becomes a tropical storm with winds of at least 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph). Storms that become tropical storms between the Americas coast and 140°W are named by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Storms that become tropical storms between 140°W and 180° are named by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC). If a storm causes a lot of damage, its name is removed from the lists, and a new name is chosen at the next WMO Hurricane Committee meeting.

Eastern North Pacific (east of 140°W)

When a tropical storm forms north of the Equator between the coast of the Americas and 140°W, the NHC names it. There are six lists of names that are used every six years. The names go from A to Z, skipping Q and U, and they switch between male and female names. Names of very damaging storms are retired, and new names are picked at the next Hurricane Committee meeting. If all the names on the yearly list are used, any extra storms get a name from a backup list.

Central North Pacific Ocean (140°W to 180°)

Hurricane Walaka at its strongest in October 2018

When a tropical storm forms north of the Equator between 140°W and 180°, the CPHC names it. There are four lists of Hawaiian names. These lists are used one after another, no matter the year. The first name for a new year is simply the next name on the list that wasn't used the year before. Names of very damaging storms are retired, and a new name is chosen at the next Hurricane Committee meeting.

Western Pacific Ocean Storms (180° – 100°E)

Typhoon Bolaven at its strongest in October 2023

Tropical cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere between 180° and 100°E are officially named by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) when they become tropical storms. However, PAGASA (the Philippine weather agency) also names tropical cyclones that form or enter its special area between 5°N–25°N and 115°E–135°E. This means that storms in this region often end up with two names!

International names

Further information: List of retired Pacific typhoon names

The Japan Meteorological Agency gives international names to Western Pacific tropical cyclones when their winds reach at least 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph) for 10 minutes. These names are used one after another, no matter the year. They come from five lists created by the ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee. Each of the 14 member countries suggested 10 names in 1998. The order of names is based on the alphabetical order of the countries' English names. Committee members can ask for a storm's name to be removed or replaced if it causes a lot of damage or for other reasons, like many deaths.

Philippines

Further information: List of retired Philippine typhoon names

Typhoon Egay at its strongest in July 2023

Since 1963, PAGASA has had its own naming system for tropical cyclones in its special area called the Philippine Area of Responsibility. The names come from four different lists, each with 25 names. A storm gets a name when it moves into or forms as a tropical depression in PAGASA's area. The four lists are used every four years. If a storm causes at least ₱1 billion (Philippine pesos) in damage or at least 300 deaths in the Philippines, its name is removed. New names for retired ones come from a list of backup names. If all the names for a year are used up, names are taken from an extra list, with the first ten names published each year.

North Indian Ocean Storms (100°E – 45°E)

Cyclone Mocha at its strongest in May 2023

In the North Indian Ocean, between 45°E and 100°E, tropical cyclones are named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). They get a name when they become "cyclonic storms" with winds of at least 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph) for 3 minutes. If a cyclonic storm moves into this area from the Western Pacific, it keeps its original name. However, if it weakens and then gets strong again after moving into the region, it will get a new name. In May 2020, the naming of Cyclone Amphan used up the old list of names. A new list has been created and is now being used in alphabetical order for storms after Amphan.

South-West Indian Ocean Storms (west of 90°E)

Cyclone Batsirai near its strongest in February 2022

In the South-West Indian Ocean, between Africa and 90°E, a tropical or subtropical storm gets a name when its winds reach at least 63 kilometers per hour (39 mph). This happens when strong winds are seen or thought to be around a large part of the storm's center. Storms are named by either Météo Madagascar or the Mauritius Meteorological Service, working with Météo-France Reunion. If a storm is ready to be named between Africa and 55°E, Météo Madagascar names it. If it's between 55°E and 90°E, the Mauritius Meteorological Service names it. The names come from three lists that are used every three years. Names that have been used are automatically removed and replaced by the WMO's RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, using names suggested by member countries.

Australian Region Storms (90°E – 160°E)

Further information: List of retired Australian cyclone names

In the Australian region, between 90°E and 160°E, a tropical cyclone is named when observations show it has strong winds near its center that are expected to continue. The Indonesian Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) names storms that form between the Equator and 10°S, and between 90°E and 141°E. Papua New Guinea's National Weather Service names storms that form between the Equator and 10°S, and between 141°E and 160°E. Outside these areas, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology names tropical cyclones. To help local communities prepare, these centers can name a storm early if it's very likely to become a named storm. If a named storm causes deaths or a lot of damage, its name is removed from the list. A new name is then suggested at the next World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting.

Indonesia

If a storm becomes a tropical cyclone between the Equator – 10°S and 90°E – 141°E, the Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG) names it. Names are chosen in order from List A. List B has names that will replace names on List A if they are removed.

Papua New Guinea

If a storm becomes a tropical cyclone between the Equator – 10°S and 141°E – 160°E, the Papua New Guinea National Weather Service (NWS) names it. Names are chosen in order from List A and are automatically removed after being used, even if they didn't cause damage. List B has names that will replace names on List A if they are removed.

Australia

Cyclone Ilsa at its strongest in April 2023

When a storm becomes a tropical cyclone south of 10°S between 90°E and 160°E, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) names it. The names are chosen in alphabetical order and used in a rotating sequence, no matter the year.

Southern Pacific Ocean Storms (160°E – 120°W)

Further information: List of retired South Pacific cyclone names

Cyclone Lola at its strongest in October 2023

In the Southern Pacific Ocean, between 160°E and 120°W, a tropical cyclone is named when it has strong winds near its center that are expected to continue. The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) names storms located between the Equator and 25°S. The New Zealand MetService names storms that form south of 25°S, working with the FMS. To help local communities prepare, the FMS can name a storm early if it's very likely to become a named storm. If a tropical cyclone causes deaths or a lot of damage, its name is removed from the list. A new name is then suggested at the next World Meteorological Organization's RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee meeting. The names are chosen from Lists A–D in order, without regard to the year, before starting again with List A. List E has names that will replace names on Lists A–D when needed.

South Atlantic Ocean Storms

When a tropical or subtropical storm forms in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center's Marine Meteorological Service names it. The names are chosen in alphabetical order and used in a rotating sequence, no matter the year. The name "Kurumí" replaced "Kamby" in 2018, even though "Kamby" was never used. In 2022, 32 new names were added to the list.

See also

In Spanish: Nombres de los ciclones tropicales para niños

• Tropical cyclone scales
• Atlantic hurricane season
• South Atlantic tropical cyclone
• Pacific hurricane season
• Pacific typhoon season
• South Pacific tropical cyclone
• North Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
• South-West Indian Ocean tropical cyclone
• Australian region tropical cyclone
• Regional Specialized Meteorological Center