Alberto, Francine and Kirk: These are the hurricane names for 2024

Mom goes back to roots to launch skincare line

Pro-Gaza protesters gather at Fordham University

Manhattan DA seeks retrial in Weinstein rape case

Spotlighting Tamil cuisine with Kanyakumari Restaurant

Video

300 people detained in protests at Columbia, City …

In-studio poem reading by Stephanie Pacheco 

MTA CEO responds to congestion pricing backlash

MTA to vote on discounted train fares

Getting ready for Strong Girl Summer 

Video

An inside look at ‘The Idea of You’

Video

Learning trending dance moves on International Dance …

Gotham Burger Social Club collaborates with Benny …

Miss America talks mission to end pancreatic cancer

Avery Wilson talks his role in Broadway musical The …

Rutgers head coach previews football season

Video

Do you want to be Mr. Met? Mets hiring new mascot

Tyrese Maxey saves Sixers from elimination

Moose on the Loose: The comeback kid

$1 hot dogs to be sold during Mets game against Cubs

Make math fun! Keep kids motivated through the summer …

Video

Mother’s Day gift ideas from lifestyle expert Josh …

Clear the clutter with help from 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

Milly Almodovar’s Mother Day gift ideas

You Auto Know – Owner’s Manual

by: Rachel Tucker

Posted: May 1, 2024 / 04:43 PM EDT

Updated: May 1, 2024 / 04:43 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — We’re in for an “extremely active” hurricane season, researchers predict, with a forecasted 23 named storms. While no one can predict exactly when the first storm will appear, we already know its name: Alberto.

The World Meteorological Organization maintains lists of 21 names that are used in a six-year rotation. If 2024’s names sound familiar, it’s likely you heard them in 2018.

When a tropical storm strengthens and reaches wind speeds of 39 mph or higher, it’s given a name from the list, beginning in alphabetical order.

Prior to the 1950s, tropical cyclones were tracked by the order in which they formed each year, according to NOAA. This led to confusion when multiple storms were churning in the Atlantic simultaneously.

“Storms are given short, distinctive names to avoid confusion and streamline communications,” according to the NOAA website.

From 1953 to 1979, only female names were used for storms.

The WMO committee convenes annually and removes a name from the list if it is associated with an especially costly or deadly storm. This is done “for reasons of sensitivity,” according to the National Hurricane Center. Despite Hurricane Idalia making landfall in the U.S. last year, the committee chose not to retire the name.

A total of 96 names have been removed from the Atlantic hurricane list since 1953. The full list can be found on the National Hurricane Center website.

In 2021, the WMO created a supplemental list of names to be used in case the regular list was exhausted. This came after a busy 2020 season that blew through the regular list of names, plus the entire Greek alphabet, which was the previous backup plan.

The WMO chose to stop using the Greek alphabet because it drew attention away from the storms themselves and was difficult to translate. It resulted in concurrent storms with similar-sounding names, which caused confusion.

The committee also retired Eta and Iota that year.

The WMO determined there simply aren’t enough names beginning with Q, U, X, Y, and Z. They would need six of each, plus a few in reserve, in case a name gets retired.

Names beginning with those letters can also be difficult to understand across multiple languages.

Suggest a Correction

Submit

Δ

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Walmart has tons of great deals on BBQ grills so you can prepare for when it officially gets too hot to light the stove.

Amazon has tons of highly rated patio lights for great prices.

In this video, we’re walking through everything you need to know to take a trip without a checked bag. We cover all the tips needed to pack carry-on luggage.