The names of hurricanes have been used by meteorologists since 1953, for organizational reasons. Each year, the World Meteorological Organization creates a list of 26 names in alphabetical order, including male and female names. This weekend, the regions of the Atlantic and the northern United States dealing with the letter "I" in the list: Irene.
In some cases, the names of tropical systems turned back to the list after six years. According to Zap2it, Irene was last used in 2005, the same year as Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast.
The names of hurricanes are retired when a storm creates special damage. Andrew, Charley and Katrina are examples of such names will never be featured in the list of the World Meteorological Association again. Irene will be added to the list if it causes such damage.
In 2011 names for the Atlantic hurricane season is set to be recycled by 2017, according to ABC News. Some of these names will be removed and replaced if necessary. A storm of the Atlantic to reach tropical storm status before receiving a name. There are various lists that are used for the names of hurricanes in the Pacific.
According to the Huffington Post, U.S. forecasters used to name storms in terms of time or place. Examples include the 1900 Galveston storm, the big blow of the hurricanes of 1913 and Labor Day 1935.
Below is a list of names, 2011 Atlantic season:
Arlene
Bret
Cindy
Don
Emily
Franklin
Gert
Harvey
Irene
Jose
Katia
Lee
Maria
Nate
Ophelia
Philippe
Rina
Sean
Tammy
Vince
Whitney
Names Of Hurricanes: The Story Behind Irène
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