Only three times in history has the Atlantic hurricane season used all 21 storm names, and each of these has occurred in the last 10 years, and twice in the last two years. Here’s the scoop on the 3 most active seasons…and how hurricane season is growing in severity each year.
The 3 times hurricane season used all its names and more
Every year, 21 storm names are assigned for the forthcoming hurricane season. But as climate change appears to be worsening and having an effect on weather systems, both the frequency and strength of storms are on the rise, and meteorologists are being forced to turn to additional names more often as the entire list of 21 names gets assigned and more names are needed.
In the ten years, and twice in the last two consecutive years, the entire list of storm names has been exhausted three times: 2005, 2020, and 2021.
Further, in two of the years, additional storm names were required from an auxiliary list.
Who creates storm names?
Every year, since 1953, the World Meteorological Association (WMO) develops a list of 21 storm names for the forthcoming season. They create six lists of names for Atlantic and Pacific storms, which are cycled through every six years, meaning they repeat, according to the Almanac.
If a hurricane does significant damage, the name is retired and replaced by another name that begins with the same letter, according to the Farmer’s Almanac.
No more Greek alphabet names
The WMO announced that, as of March 17, 2021, the Greek alphabet would no longer be used, for a number of reasons, and an auxiliary list of names will be used in its place.
Hurricane season 2005
The 2005 Atlantic hurricane season holds the record for the most active season for 15 years until the record was broken in 2020. The season produced 27 named storms and 28 tropical or subtropical storms overall. Six Greek letter names were used in addition to the list of 21.
The 2005 season produced a record 15 hurricanes, with a record seven major hurricanes. Most astonishing, four of the major hurricanes achieved Category 5 status, the highest rating on the scale.
A record 15 storms made landfall, seven of which made landfall in the contiguous United States.
Hurricane season 2020: Multiple records set
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record, surpassing the previous record set in 2005.
The season produced 30 named storms, with a total of 31 tropical or subtropical cyclones. Of the named storms, 14 developed into hurricanes, and seven of those became major hurricanes, tying the all-time record.
Eleven storms made landfall in the contiguous United States, breaking the record of nine set in 1916. Additionally, 27 tropical storms set records for the earliest formation date by storm number.
The season used nine letters from the Greek storm naming system.
Hurricane season 2021
For the sixth consecutive year, the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season saw above-average activity and became the third-most active on record, exhausting its entire list of 21 storm names. It fell one name storm shy of joining 2 other seasons that had to dip into the Greek alphabet for additional storm names.
The season produced seven hurricanes, four of which were major hurricanes. It was the seventh consecutive year in which a storm formed prior to June 1, the designated start of the season. Eight storms made landfall in the contiguous US, KIII-TV reported.
As global warming increases, we are expecting to see an increase in storm severity. Just by looking back at the past two years, we can see the intensity building. If we continue down this road we should expect to see hurricane-prone areas become inhabitable.
