As we approach the 2024 hurricane season, meteorologists are sounding the alarm for what could be a particularly active year. With more storms expected than usual, it’s not just the coastal communities bracing themselves but anyone with a home and family to protect. To stay ahead of these powerful tempests, it’s worth diving into the nature of hurricanes—what they are, how they form, and how they can change lives forever.
Imagine a storm so powerful it draws energy from the sea itself, spinning faster and faster until it becomes a force of nature capable of reshaping coastlines and flattening entire towns. That’s a hurricane—a fierce, rotating storm that feeds off the heat of tropical waters. When wind speeds hit 74 miles per hour (119 kilometers per hour), a humble tropical disturbance becomes a full-fledged hurricane.
What’s fascinating is that these storms go by different names around the world. In the Northwest Pacific, they're known as typhoons. Travel down to the South Pacific or Indian Ocean, and you’ll hear them called cyclones. But no matter the name, the danger is all too real.
Every hurricane starts small—a mere cluster of thunderstorms dancing over the ocean, a seemingly innocent tropical disturbance. But as it sucks in warm, moist air, it starts to spin, the winds whipping faster, the clouds rising higher. Soon, it strengthens into a tropical depression with a defined circulation. At this stage, you might notice the weatherman's tone shift a bit—what once was a casual mention now becomes a watchful eye.
Then, if the conditions are just right, the storm escalates to a tropical storm, earning a name and a place in meteorological history. From there, it's only a matter of time before those winds surpass 74 mph, and the storm is officially classified as a hurricane.
A hurricane is more than just high winds and heavy rain. It’s a complex system, almost like a living, breathing creature. At its heart is the eye, a calm center where the skies clear and the winds relax—an eerie pause before the storm unleashes its full might again.
Surrounding this tranquil core is the eye wall, a ring of thunderstorms packed with the hurricane’s most violent winds and heaviest rain. It’s the eye wall that delivers the crushing blows, tearing apart homes and uprooting trees as it roars onto land.
Then there are the rainbands—long, spiraling arms that stretch for hundreds of miles, bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds far beyond the storm’s center. These bands spread the hurricane’s reach, ensuring that even areas not directly in the path can experience severe weather.
Hurricanes are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, known as the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which is based solely on wind speed. But don’t let a lower number fool you—a Category 1 hurricane can still cause serious damage. And by the time you reach Category 5, you’re looking at catastrophic impacts, with winds so fierce that they can rip apart entire neighborhoods.
While most people think of wind when they picture a hurricane, it’s often the storm surge that’s the deadliest. Imagine the ocean itself rising up, pushed ashore by relentless winds, flooding homes and sweeping away anything in its path. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina’s surge left New Orleans underwater, and the scars are still visible today.
Beyond the surge, hurricanes can bring torrential rains, leading to flash floods and landslides that turn streets into rivers. Even far from the coast, the rain can swell rivers and creeks, causing flooding in areas that thought they were safe from the storm.
And then there are the tornadoes—short-lived, violent whirlwinds that hurricanes often spawn, especially in their outer rainbands. These twisters can form with little warning, adding to the chaos and destruction.
Knowing how hurricanes form and what they can do is only part of the equation. Preparation is key, and it starts long before the first storm of the season is named.
First, have a solid emergency plan in place. This means knowing where to go if you need to evacuate, and how you’ll keep in touch with loved ones if the power goes out.
Next, build an emergency kit. Stock up on essentials—water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies. Include copies of important documents too, because in the aftermath, having quick access to insurance and medical information can make a world of difference.
Stay informed. Watch the news, track the weather updates, and heed the advice of local officials. Knowing when to stay put and when to evacuate can save lives.
There’s more you can do than just boarding up windows. Look around your yard—any loose items like patio furniture or potted plants can become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds. Consider installing storm shutters or reinforcing your roof if you live in a hurricane-prone area. The goal is to make your home as sturdy as possible against a force that’s anything but.
When an evacuation order comes, don’t wait. Pack up and go. Have your car fueled and ready, and make a plan for your pets. Don’t try to ride out a major hurricane—it’s a gamble not worth taking.
Every hurricane season, a new cast of characters is introduced—each storm earning a name as it forms and develops into a force to be reckoned with. These names aren’t chosen at random; they are predetermined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and rotate every six years. Some names, however, get retired and are never spoken of again—reserved only for the storms that were so destructive or deadly, their mention alone stirs up memories of devastation.
For the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, the following names are on standby, ready to be called upon as each tropical storm brews in the ocean:
Alberto – A tropical storm known for gusty winds and heavy rainfall.
Beryl – A powerhouse of a hurricane, roaring ashore as a Category 5.
Chris – A modest tropical storm, making a brief appearance.
Debby – Upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane, Debby’s winds could cause concern.
Ernesto – Strengthening into a Category 2, this one will be one to watch.
Francine – Also a Category 2 hurricane, carrying strong winds and rains.
Gordon – A tropical storm stirring up waves and showers.
Helene – A monstrous Category 4 storm, with the potential for widespread damage.
Isaac – A tropical storm adding to the season’s tally.
Joyce – A gentler tropical storm in comparison, but still not to be taken lightly.
Kirk – Whipping up winds as a tropical storm.
Leslie – A Category 1 hurricane, bringing wind and rain to those in its path.
Milton – Exploding to a Category 5 hurricane, the name Milton may become infamous.
Nadine – Keeping watchful eyes on this storm as it develops.
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sara
Tony
Valerie
William
These names are assigned alphabetically as each storm forms, and if this season sees more than 21 named storms, the WMO has a supplementary list on hand, ready to continue the naming tradition.
But what about the names you’ll never see again?
Some storms carve their names into history with a force so unforgettable, they are retired permanently. When a hurricane is retired, it’s an acknowledgment of the extraordinary impact it had—be it through loss of life, economic devastation, or an indelible mark on the memories of those who lived through it.
Names like Katrina (2005) and Maria (2017) will never again be used for an Atlantic hurricane. Their legacies linger, not just in the meteorological records, but in the stories of survivors and the rebuilt landscapes.
Below is a complete list of the retired Atlantic hurricane names, organized by decade:
1950s (10)
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1960s (8)
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1970s (7)
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1980s (8)
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1990s (12)
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2000s (24)
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2010s (16)
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2020s (3)
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Each of these names has been etched into meteorological history, ensuring that they will never be reused—memorializing their lasting impact and reminding us of nature’s sheer power.
And so, as we head into the 2024 season, we watch and wait to see which names will join the retired list, marking a chapter in history that no one will ever forget.
