Procedure of Naming Tropical Cyclones
There is a strict procedure to determine a list of tropical cyclone names in an ocean basin(s) by the Tropical Cyclone Regional Body responsible for that basin(s) at its annual/biennial meeting. There are five tropical cyclone regional bodies, i.e. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, RA IV Hurricane Committee, and RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee. For instance, Hurricane Committee determines a pre-designated list of hurricane names for six years separately at its annual session. The pre-designated list of hurricane names are proposed by its members that include National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the North/Central America and the Caribbean. Naming procedures in other regions are almost the same as in the Caribbean. In general, tropical cyclones are named according to the rules at a regional level.
It is important to note that tropical cyclones/hurricanes are named neither after any particular person, nor with any preference in alphabetical sequence. The tropical cyclone/hurricane names selected are those that are familiar to the people in each region. Obviously, the main purpose of naming a tropical cyclone/hurricane is basically for people easily to understand and remember the tropical cyclone/hurricane in a region, thus to facilitate tropical cyclone/hurricane disaster risk awareness, preparedness, management and reduction.
3. Tropical Cyclone Names Worldwide
Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Names | |||||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Alex
Bonnie Colin Danielle Earl Fiona Gaston Hermine Ian Julia Karl Lisa Matthew Nicole Otto Paula Richard Shary Tobias Virginie Walter |
Arlene
Bret Cindy Don Emily Franklin Gert Harvey Irma Jose Katia Lee Maria Nate Ophelia Philippe Rina Sean Tammy Vince Whitney |
Alberto
Beryl Chris Debby Ernesto Florence Gordon Helene Isaac Joyce Kirk Leslie Michael Nadine Oscar Patty Rafael Sara Tony Valerie William |
Andrea
Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Imelda Jerry Karen Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy |
Arthur
Bertha Cristobal Dolly Edouard Fay Gonzalo Hanna Isaias Josephine Kyle Laura Marco Nana Omar Paulette Rene Sally Teddy Vicky Wilfred |
Ana
Bill Claudette Danny Erika Fred Grace Henri Ida Julian Kate Larry Mindy Nicholas Odette Peter Rose Sam Teresa Victor Wanda |
The six lists are used in rotation. Thus, the 2016 list will be used again in 2022.
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Eastern North Pacific Names | |||||
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Agatha
Blas Celia Darby Estelle Frank Georgette Howard Ivette Javier Kay Lester Madeline Newton Orlene Paine Roslyn Seymour Tina Virgil Winifred Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Adrian
Beatriz Calvin Dora Eugene Fernanda Greg Hilary Irwin Jova Kenneth Lidia Max Norma Otis Pilar Ramon Selma Todd Veronica Wiley Xina York Zelda |
Aletta
Bud Carlotta Daniel Emilia Fabio Gilma Hector Ileana John Kristy Lane Miriam Norman Olivia Paul Rosa Sergio Tara Vicente Willa Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Alvin
Barbara Cosme Dalila Erick Flossie Gil Henriette Ivo Juliette Kiko Lorena Mario Narda Octave Priscilla Raymond Sonia Tico Velma Wallis Xina York Zelda |
Amanda
Boris Cristina Douglas Elida Fausto Genevieve Hernan Iselle Julio Karina Lowell Marie Norbert Odalys Polo Rachel Simon Trudy Vance Winnie Xavier Yolanda Zeke |
Andres
Blanca Carlos Dolores Enrique Felicia Guillermo Hilda Ignacio Jimena Kevin Linda Marty Nora Olaf Pamela Rick Sandra Terry Vivian Waldo Xina York Zelda |
These lists are also re-cycled every six years (the 2016 list will be used again in 2022).
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Central North Pacific Names | |||
List 1
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List 2
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List 3
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List 4
|
Akoni
Ema Hone Iona Keli Lala Moke Nolo Olana Pena Ulana Wale |
Aka
Ekeka Hene Iolana Keoni Lino Mele Nona Oliwa Pama Upana Wene |
Alika
Ele Huko Iopa Kika Lana Maka Neki Omeka Pewa Unala Wali |
Ana
Ela Halola Iune Kilo Loke Malia Niala Oho Pali Ulika Walaka |
The names are used one after the other. When the bottom of one list is reached, the next name is the top of the next list.
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Western North Pacific and the South China Sea Names | |||||
Contributor
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I
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II
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III
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IV
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V
|
Cambodia
China DPR Korea HK, China Japan Lao PDR Macao, China Malaysia Micronesia Philippines RO Korea Thailand U.S.A. Vietnam Cambodia China DPR Korea HK, China Japan Lao PDR Macao, China Malaysia Micronesia Philippines RO Korea Thailand U.S.A. Vietnam |
Damrey
Haikui Kirogi Kai-Tak Tembin Bolaven Sanba Jelawat Ewiniar Maliksi Gaemi Prapiroon Maria Son-Tinh Ampil Wukong Jongdari Shanshan Yagi Leepi Bebinca Rumbia Soulik Cimaron Jebi Mangkhut Barijat Trami |
Kong-rey
Yutu Toraji Man-yi Usagi Pabuk Wutip Sepat Mun Danas Nari Wipha Francisco Lekima Krosa Bailu Podul Lingling Kajiki Faxai Peipah Tapah Mitag Hagibis Neoguri Bualoi Matmo Halong |
Nakri
Fengshen Kalmaegi Fung-wong Kanmuri Phanfone Vongfong Nuri Sinlaku Hagupit Jangmi Mekkhala Higos Bavi Maysak Haishen Noul Dolphin Kujira Chan-hom Linfa Nangka Soudelor Molave Goni Atsani Etau Vamco |
Krovanh
Dujuan Mujigae Choi-wan Koppu Champi In-fa Melor Nepartak Lupit Mirinae Nida Omais Conson Chanthu Dianmu Mindulle Lionrock Kompasu Namtheun Malou Meranti Rai Malakas Megi Chaba Aere Songda |
Sarika
Haima Meari Ma-on Tokage Nock-ten Muifa Merbok Nanmadol Talas Noru Kulap Roke Sonca Nesat Haitang Nalgae Banyan Hato Pakhar Sanvu Mawar Guchol Talim Doksuri Khanun Lan Saola |
RSMC Tokyo – Typhoon Center will assign a tropical cyclone a name from the list followed by a 4-digit identification number (in brackets). Names on the list will only be given to tropical cyclones of tropical storm strength or above.These names are used sequentially. That is, if the last storm of the year is Cimaron, the first storm of the next year is Jebi.
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Australian TCWC's Area of Responsibility |
AB
CDE F G H IJK LMNOPQ R S T UV WXYZ |
Anika
Billy Charlotte Dominic Ellie Freddy Gabrielle Herman Ilsa Jasper Kirrily Lincoln Megan Neville Olga Paul Robyn Sean Tasha Vince Zelia (Zee or Zhu) |
Anthony
Bianca Courtney Dianne Errol Fina Grant Heidi Iggy Jenna Koji Luana Mitchell Narelle Osamu Peta Rubina Sandra Tim Victoria Zane |
Alessia
Bruce Catherine Dylan Edna Fletcher Gillian Hadi Ivana Jack Kate Lam Marcia Nathan Olwyn Quang Raquel Stan Tatjana Uriah Yvette |
Alfred
Blanche Caleb Debbie Ernie Frances Greg Hilda Ilsobel Joyce Kelvin Linda Marcus Nora Owen Penny Riley Savannah Trevor Veronica Wallace |
Ann
Blake Claudia Damien Esther Ferdinand ( (Feng or Folkert?)) Gretel Harold Imogen Joshua Kimi Lucas Marian Noah Odette Paddy Ruby Seth Tiffany Verdun |
Note: The single list of names that are used by all of the Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWC) was introduced for the start of the 2008/09 season, replacing the three lists that existed previously. First name used for the 2008/2009 season is Anika, then Billy, etc.
The name of a new tropical cyclone is usually selected from this list of names. If a named cyclone moves into the Australian region from another country's zone of responsibility, the name assigned by that other country will be retained. The names are normally chosen in sequence, when the list is exhausted, we return to the start of the list.
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RSMC Nadi's Area of Responsibility | ||||
List A
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List B
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List C
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List D
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List E(Standby)
|
Ana
Bina Cody Dovi Eva Fili Gina Hagar Irene Judy Kerry Lola Mal Nat Olo Pita Rae Sheila Tam Urmil Vaianu Wati Xavier Yani Zita |
Arthur
Becky Chip Denia Elisa Fotu Glen Hettie Innis Joni Ken Lin Mick Nisha Oli Pearl Rene Sarah Tomas Vanessa Wano Yvonne Zaka |
Alvin
Bune Cyril Daphne Eden Florin Garry Haley Isa June Kofi Louise Mike Nute***Niko Odile***Opeti Pam Reuben Solo Tuni Ula Victor Winston Yalo Zena |
Amos
Bart Colin Donna Ella Frank Gita Hali Iris Jo Kala Leo Mona Neil Oma Pami Rita Sarai Tino Vicky Wiki Yolanda Zazu |
Aru
Bela Cook Dean Garth Hart Julie Kelvin Moses Pearl Rex Suki Troy Velma Wanita Yates Zidane |
Lists A, B, C, and D are used sequentially one after the other. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year. List E is a list of replacement names if they become necessary. Wellington TCWC will name the cyclone, in consultation with RSMC Nadi, by using the next name from RSMC Nadi's list, if a tropical cyclone in the Wellington TCWC's area of responsibility, Wellington.
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Port Moresby TCWC's Area of Responsibility | |||
List A
|
List B
(Standby) | ||
Alu
Buri Dodo Emau Fere Hibu Ila Kama Lobu Maila |
Nou
Obaha Paia Ranu Sabi Tau Ume Vali Wau Auram | ||
Lists A and B are used sequentially one after the other. The first name in any given year is the one immediately following the last name from the previous year.
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Jakarta TCWc's Area of Responsibility | ||
List A
|
List B
(Standby) | |
Anggrek
Bakung Cempaka Dahlia Flamboyan Kenanga Lili Mangga Seroja Teratai |
Anggur
Belimbing Duku Jambu Lengkeng Melati Nangka Pisang Rambuta Sawo | |
The name of a new tropical cyclone is determined by sequential cycling through List A. Standby List B is used to replace retired names in List A and any replacement will be added to the bottom of List A to maintain the alphabetical order.
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Northern Indian Ocean Names (as of 2014) | ||||
Contributors
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List 1
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List 2
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List 3
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List 4
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Bangladesh
India Maldives Mayanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand |
Onil
Agni Hibaru Pyarr Baaz Fanoos Mala Mukda |
Ogni
Akash Gonu Yemyin Sidr Nargis Rashmi Khai Muk |
Nisha
Bijli Aila Phyan Ward Laila Bandu Phet |
Giri
Jal Keila Thane Murjan Nilam Viyaru Phailin |
Contributors
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List 5
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List 6
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List 7
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List 8
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Bangladesh
India Maldives Mayanmar Oman Pakistan Sri Lanka Thailand |
Helen
Lehar Madi Nanauk Hudhud Nilofar Ashobaa Komen |
Chapala
Megh Roanu Kyant Nada Vardah Maarutha Mora |
Ockhi
Sagar Mekunu Daye Luban Titli Gaja Phethai |
Fani
Vayu Hikaa Kyarr Maha Bulbul Pawan Amphan |
The RSMC tropical cyclones New Delhi will give a tropical cyclone an identification name from the above name list. The identification system covers both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.
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Southwest Indian Ocean Names |
CYCLONE SEASON 2016/2017
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CYCLONE SEASON 2017/2018
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CYCLONE SEASON
2018/2019 | ||||||||||||||
Names
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Provided by
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These lists are used sequentially, and they are not rotated every few years as are the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific lists.
source: www.wmo.int
