B) Tropical cylones names

B1) How are tropical cyclones named?
B2) How are tropical cyclones names chosen in the Southwest Indian Ocean ?
B3) When was the earliest tropical cyclone named ? The latest ?
B4) What happens to the name of a tropical cyclone if it moves from an area of responsibility to another one ?
B5) What are the upcoming tropical cyclone names ?


Subject B1) How are tropical cyclones named?

Contributed by Chris Landsea.
Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about what storm is being described.

According to Dunn and Miller (1960), the first use of a proper name for a tropical cyclone was by an Australian forecaster early in the 20th century. He gave tropical cyclone names "after political figures whom he disliked. By properly naming a hurricane, the weatherman could publicly describe a politician (who perhaps was not too generous with weather-bureau appropriations) as 'causing great distress' or 'wandering aimlessly about the Pacific.' "

During World War II, tropical cyclones were informally given women's names by US Army Air Corp and Navy meteorologists (after their girlfriends or wives) who were monitoring and forecasting tropical cyclones over the Pacific.




Subject B2) How are tropical cyclones names chosen in the Southwest Indian Ocean ?

Source Philippe Caroff.

In the Southwest Indian Ocean, tropical systems are named as soon as they become moderate tropical storms (33 knots). Names are chosen from a predetermined list of names. Each cyclone season starts with the letter A, and a name is normally only used once (but this has not always been true).
Up to 1999-2000 tropical cyclones were named only using women's names. Since, both men's and women's names are utilized. Selection process have changed with time: during the 80-90s for example, names were chosen by the National Meteorological Services in turn for several years (Madagascar at the end of the eighties-beginning of the nineties, Seychelles at the end of the nineties...).
Since cyclone season 2000-2001, names from the list are contributed by all the nations that are members of the WMO's Southwest Indian Ocean Tropical Cyclone Committee (15 countries, most of them from austral Africa). These names are chosen by consensus during the Tropical Cyclone Committee which is hold each two years.



Subject B3) When was the earliest tropical cyclone named ? The latest ?

Source Philippe Caroff.

The earliest named systems were in August 1965 (Anne and Brenda), but they were very weak systems (likely tropical disturbances or depressions), and September 1965 is more likely the month with the earliest name according to current name criteria. The latest first name was given to the tropical cyclone Anacelle on February the 8th, 1998.

Related to the end of the cyclone seasons, the earliest last name was given on February the 17th, 1977 to the tropical cyclone Hervea, but this should rather be the tropical storm Elinah (January the 11th, 1983) as system Fely has been wrongly named in June 1983. The last name has been given to tropical storm Gritelle on June the 10th, 1991, as Odette in July 1971 do not fill current criteria.




Subject B4) What happens to the name of a tropical cyclone if it moves from an area of responsibility to another one ?

Contributed by Anne-Claire Fontan.

If a tropical system named on the South-East Indian Ocean (SEIO, Australian or Indonesian areas of responsibility (AoR)), crosses the 90E and moves to the west (over the South-West Indian Ocean (SWIO), i.e. RSMC La Réunion's AoR) with a minimal stage of moderate tropical storm, it will be renamed with a name of the SWIO roster. During 48 hours, for continuity reasons, the system will have the two names joined as NewName ex-OldName (for example, Ariel ex-Lee for the first SWIO 20072008 cyclone season system, developed and first named over the Australian AoR). Beyond 48 hours, the system will only keep the SWIO name.

On the other hand, for a named system coming from the SWIO and crossing the 90E, the Australians and Indonesians will use the SWIO name. The Australians an Indonesians use the names given to TCs by other centres. If Ariel came from the west they would stick with the name Ariel. If Lee went west, became Ariel and then returned to their AoR they would call it Ariel-Lee.



Subject B5) What are the upcoming tropical cyclone names ?



INDIAN OCEAN TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES

Southwest Indian
(Equator to 40S and west of 90E)

2009/2010 2010/2011
Names Provided by Names Provided by
Anja (Madagascar /F) Abele (Lesotho /M)
Bongani (Mozambique /M) Bingiza (Malawi /F)
Cleo (France /F) Cherono (Kenya /F)
David (South Africa /M) Dalilou (Comoros /M)
Edzani (Botswana /M) Elvire (Mauritius /F)
Fami (Zimbabwe /F) Francis (Seychelles /M)
Gelane (Swaziland /M) Giladi (Tanzania /F)
Hubert (Mauritius /M) Haingo (Madagascar /F)
Imani (Comoros /F) Igor (France /M)
Joel (Tanzania /M) Jani (Botswana /M)
Kanja (Kenia /M) Khabonina (Swaziland /F)
Lunda (Malawi /F) Lumbo (Mozambique / M)
Mohono (Lesotho /M) Maina (Zimbabwe /F)
Nigel (Seychelles /M) Naledi (South Africa /F)
Olympe (France /F) Onani (Malawi /F)
Pamela (Tanzania /F) Paulette (Seychelles /F)
Quentin (Kenya /M) Qiloane (Lesotho /M)
Rahim (Comoros /M) Rafael (France /M)
Savana (Mozambique /F) Stella (South Africa /F)
Themba (Swaziland /M) Tari (Comoros /M)
Uyapo (Botswana /M) Unjaty (Madagascar /F)
Viviane (Mauritius /F) Vita (Tanzania /F)
Walter (South Africa /M) Willy (Mauritius /M)
Xangy (Madagascar /M) Ximene (Mozambique /M)
Yemurai (Zimbabwe /F) Yasmine (Kenya /F)
Zanele (Lesotho /F) Zama (Swaziland /M)



Starting with the 2008/2009 season, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers have consolidated their three different name lists into one unified listing, given below.
If a named cyclone moves into the Australian regions from another warning center's area of responsibility, that previously assigned name will be used instead of one selected from this list. Names will be assigned in the order below (A-Zed) then the next list will be used, irrespective of year.

TCWCs Perth, Darwin and Brisbane, Australia
(90E to 160E)

A Anika Anthony Alessia Alfred Ann
B Billy Bianca Bruce Blanche Blake
C Cathy Carlos Charlotte Blanche Caleb
D Dominic Dianne Dylan Debbie Damien
E Ellie Errol Edna Ernie Esther
F Freddy Fina Fletcher Frances Ferdinand
G Gabrielle Grant Gillian Greg Gretel
H Hamish Heidi Hadi Hilda Harold
I Ilsa Iggy Ita Ira Imogen
J Jasper Jasmine Jack Joyce Joshua
K Kirrily Koji Kate Kelvin Kimi
L Laurence Lua Lam Linda Lucas
M Magda Mitchell Marcia Marcus Marian
N Neville Narelle Nathan Nora Noah
O Olga Oswald Olwyn Owen Odette
PQ Paul Peta Quang Penny Paddy
R Robyn Rusty Raquel Riley Ruby
S Sean Sandra Stan Savannah Seth
T Tasha Tim Tatjana Trevor Tiffany
UV Vince Victoria Uriah Veronica Verdun
WXYZ Zelia Zane Yvette Wallace




TCWC Jakarta, Indonesia
(north of 10S, 90E to 125E)

List A List B
(Standby)
Anggrek Anggur
Bakung Belimbing
Cempaka Duku
Dahlia Jambu
Flamboyan Lengkeng
Lili Nangka
Hibu Tau
Mawar Pisang
Seroja Rambuta
Teratai Sawo

The name is given sequentially from list A. The list B is only used to substitute the names from the list A. Each substitution will be added at the bottom of the list A to respect the alphabetical order.





RSMC New Delhi, India
North Indian Ocean

Liste 1 Liste 2 Liste 3 Liste 4
Onil Ogni Nisha Giri
Agni Akash Bijli Jal
Hibaru Gonu Aila Kella
Pyarr Yemyin Phyan Thane
Baaz Sidr Ward Murjan
Fanoos Nargis Laila Nilam
Mala Abe Bandu Mahasen
Mukda Khai Muk Phet Phailin




NORTHERN HEMISPHERE TROPICAL CYCLONES NAMES

Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Arthur Ana Alex Arlene Alberto Andrea
Bertha Bill Bonnie Bret Beryl Barry
Cristobal Claudette Colin Cindy Chris Chantal
Dolly Danny Danielle Don Debby Dorian
Edouard Erika Earl Emily Ernesto Erin
Fay Fred Fiona Franklin Florence Fernand
Gustav Grace Gaston Gert Gordon Gabrielle
Hanna Henri Hermine Harvey Helene Humberto
Ike Ida Igor Irene Isaac Ingrid
Josephine Joaquin Julia Jose Joyce Jerry
Kyle Kate Karl Katia Kirk Karen
Laura Larry Lisa Lee Leslie Lorenzo
Marco Mindy Matthew Maria Michael Melissa
Nana Nicholas Nicole Nate Nadine Nestor
Omar Odette Otto Ophelia Oscar Olga
Paloma Peter Paula Philippe Patty Pablo
Rene Rose Richard Rina Rafael Rebekah
Sally Sam Shary Sean Sandy Sebastien
Teddy Teresa Tomas Tammy Tony Tanya
Vicky Victor Virginie Vince Valerie Van
Wilfred Wanda Walter Whitney William Wendy




Eastern North Pacific
(east of 140W)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Alma Andres Agatha Adrian Aletta Alvin
Boris Blanca Blas Beatriz Bud Barbara
Cristina Carlos Celia Calvin Carlotta Cosme
Douglas Dolores Darby Dora Daniel Dalila
Elida Enrique Estelle Eugene Emilia Erick
Fausto Felicia Frank Fernanda Fabio Flossie
Genevieve Guillermo Georgette Greg Gilma Gil
Hernan Hilda Howard Hilary Hector Henriette
Iselle Ignacio Isis Irwin Ileana Ivo
Julio Jimena Javier Jova John Juliette
Karina Kevin Kay Kenneth Kristy Kiko
Lowell Linda Lester Lidia Lane Lorena
Marie Marty Madeline Max Miriam Manuel
Norbert Nora Newton Norma Norman Narda
Odile Olaf Orlene Otis Olivia Octave
Polo Patricia Paine Pilar Paul Priscilla
Rachel Rick Roslyn Ramon Rosa Raymond
Simon Sandra Seymour Selma Sergio Sonia
Trudy Terry Tina Todd Tara Tico
Vance Vivian Virgil Veronica Vicente Velma
Winnie Waldo Winifred Wiley Willa Wallis
Xavier Xina Xavier Xina Xavier Xina
Yolanda York Yolanda York Yolanda York
Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda Zeke Zelda



Central North Pacific
(from the dateline to 140W)

Liste 1 Liste 2 Liste 3 Liste 4
Akoni Aka Alika Ana
Ema Ekeka Ele Ela
Hana Hali Huko Halola
Io Iolana Ioke Iune
Keli Keoni Kika Kimo
Lala Li Lana Loke
Moke Mele Maka Malia
Nele Nona Neki Niala
Oka Oliwa Oleka Oko
Peke Paka Peni Pali
Uleki Upana Ulia Ulika
Wila Wene Wali Walaka


Each year the next name is just the one following the last from the previous year. Once through a list the next name will be off of the top of the next list.




TROPICAL CYCLONE NAMES for the NORTHWEST PACIFIC

Contributed by Gary Padgett

For over a half-century (since at least 1945) the military weather forecasters, initially members of the U. S. Navy and later also from the U. S. Air Force, have named tropical cyclones forming in the Northwest Pacific basin. The names utilized were almost exclusively English feminine names through 1978, but beginning in 1979 men's names were used with women's names in an alternating fashion. Also, starting in 1963 the meteorological service of the Philippines (now known as PAGASA) began assigning Filipino women's names ending in "ng" to tropical depressions and cyclones forming in or passing through PAGASA's area of warning responsibility. In 2002 a new naming scheme was adopted by PAGASA (see below).
Beginning on 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. The new names will be allotted to developing tropical storms by the Tokyo Typhoon Centre of the Japanese Meteorological Agency which is the RSMC for the basin.
These newly selected names have two major differences from the rest of the world's tropical cyclone name rosters. One, the names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. Secondly, the names will not be allotted in alphabetical order, but are arranged by contributing nation with the countries being alphabetized. Fourteen nations or territories contributed ten names each for a total of 140 names. The first 42 names on the roster are:



Western North Pacific
(west of the dateline)

Contributing nation Liste 1 Liste 2 Liste 3 Liste 4 Liste 5
Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika
China Longwang Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima
DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Maemi Meari
Hong-Kong, China Kai-Tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on
Japan Tenbin Usagi Kanmuri Koppu Tokage
Lao PDR Bolaven Pabuk Phanfone Ketsana Nock-ten
Macao Chanchu Wutip Vongfong Parma Muifa
Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Nuri Melor Merbok
Micronesia Ewinlar Fitow Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol
Philippines Bilis Danas Hagupit Lupit Talas
RO Korea Gaemi Nari Changmi Sudal Noru
Thailand Prapiroon Wipha Mekkhala Nida Kulap
U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke
Vietnam Saomai Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca
Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat
China Wukong Haiyan Haishen Dianmu Haitang
DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona Mindule Nalgae
Hong-Kong, China Shanshan Lingling Yanyan Tingting Banyan
Japan Yagi Kaziki Kujira Kompasu Washi
Lao DPR Xangsane Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa
Macao Bebinca Peipan Linfa Malou Sanvu
Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar
Micronesia Soulik Mitag Soudelor Rananin Guchol
Philippines Cimaron Hagibis Molave Malakas Talim
RO Korea Chebi Noguri Koni Megi Nabi
Thailand Durian Rammasun Morakot Chaba Khanun
U.S.A. Utor Matmo Etau Aere Vicete
Vietnam Trami Halong Vamco Songda Saola


PAGASA names
(Philippines Atmospheric Geophysical & Astronomical Services Administration)

Since 1963 PAGASA has independently named tropical cyclones forming in the Philippines' AOR--from 115E to 135E and from 5N to 25N (except for a portion of the northwestern corner of the above region).
Even though the Philippines contributed ten names to the international list of typhoon names, PAGASA still continues to assign their own names for local use within the Philippines.
It is felt that familiar names are more easily remembered in the rural areas and that having a PAGASA- assigned name helps to underscore the fact that the cyclone is within PAGASA's AOR and potentially a threat to the Philippines. Another consideration may be PAGASA's desire to assign a name when a system is first classified as a tropical depression. Since tropical and/or monsoon depressions can bring very heavy rainfall to the nation which often results in disastrous flooding, the weather service feels that assigning a name helps to enhance public attention given to a system.
Beginning with 2001 PAGASA began using new sets of cyclone names. These do not all end in "ng" as did the older names. Four sets of 25 names will be rotated annually; thus, the set for 2002 will be re-used in 2006. In case more than 25 systems are named in one season, an auxiliary set will be used.



PAGASA names

2008 2009 2010 2011
Ambo Auring Agaton Amang
Butchhoy Bising Basyang Bebeng
Cosme Crising Caloy Chedeng
Dindo Dante Domeng Dodong
Enteng Emong Ester Egay
Frank Feria Florita Falcon
Gener Gorio Gloria Goring
Helen Huaning Henry Hanna
Igme Isang Inday Ineng
Julian Jolina Juan Juaning
Karen Kiko Katring Kabayan
Lawin Labuyo Luis Lando
Marce Maring Milenyo Mina
Nina Nando Neneng Nonoy
Ofel Ondoy Ompong Onyok
Pablo Pepeng Paeng Pedning
Quinta Quedan Queenie Quiel
Rolly Ramil Reming Ramon
Siony Santi Seiang Sendong
Tonyo Tino Tomas Tisoy
Unding Undang Usman Ursula
Violeta Vinta Venus Viring
Winnie Wilma Waldo Weng
Yoyong Yolanda Yayang Yoyoy
Zosimo Zoraida Zeny Zigzag

Auxillary Names

Alakdan Alamid Agila Abe
Baldo Bruno Bagwis Berto
Clara Conching Chito Charo
Dencio Dolor Diego Dado
Estong Ernie Elena Estoy
Felipe Florante Felino Felion
Gardo Gerardo Gunding Gening
Heling Hernan Harriet Herman
Ismael Isko Indang Irma
Julio Jerome Jessa Jaime





SOUTHERN PACIFIC TROPICAL NAMES

Contributed by Julian Heming, Jack Beven, Gary Padgett, Frank Woodcock and Jon Gill.

Starting with the 2008/2009 season, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Tropical Cyclone Warning Centers have consolidated their three different name lists into one unified listing, given below.
If a named cyclone moves into the Australian regions from another warning center's area of responsibility, that previously assigned name will be used instead of one selected from this list. Names will be assigned in the order below (A-Zed) then the next list will be used, irrespective of year.

TCWCs Perth, Darwin and Brisbane, Australia
(90E to 160E)

A Anika Anthony Alessia Alfred Ann
B Billy Bianca Bruce Blanche Blake
C Cathy Carlos Charlotte Blanche Caleb
D Dominic Dianne Dylan Debbie Damien
E Ellie Errol Edna Ernie Esther
F Freddy Fina Fletcher Frances Ferdinand
G Gabrielle Grant Gillian Greg Gretel
H Hamish Heidi Hadi Hilda Harold
I Ilsa Iggy Ita Ira Imogen
J Jasper Jasmine Jack Joyce Joshua
K Kirrily Koji Kate Kelvin Kimi
L Laurence Lua Lam Linda Lucas
M Magda Mitchell Marcia Marcus Marian
N Neville Narelle Nathan Nora Noah
O Olga Oswald Olwyn Owen Odette
PQ Paul Peta Quang Penny Paddy
R Robyn Rusty Raquel Riley Ruby
S Sean Sandra Stan Savannah Seth
T Tasha Tim Tatjana Trevor Tiffany
UV Vince Victoria Uriah Veronica Verdun
WXYZ Zelia Zane Yvette Wallace




RSMC Nadi, FIJI
(Equator to 25S, 160E to 120W)

Liste A Liste B Liste C Liste D Liste E
(Standby)
Ana Arthur Atu Amos Alvin
Bina Becky Bune Bart Bela
Cody Chip Cyril Colin Cook
Dovi Denia Daphne Donna Dean
Eva Elisa Evan Ella Eden
Fili Fotu Freda Frank Florin
Gina Glen Garry Gita Garth
Hagar Hettie Heley Hali Hart
Irene Innis Ian Iris Isa
Judy Joni June Jo Julie
Kerry Ken Kofi Kala Kelvin
Lola Lin Lusi Leo Louise
Mal Mick Mike Mona Moses
Nat Nisha Nute Neil Niko
Olof Oli Odile Oma Opeti
Pita Pat Pam Pami Pearl
Rae Rene Reuben Rita Rex
Sheila Sarah Solo Sarai Suki
Tam Tomas Tuni Tino Troy
Urmil
Ula

Vaianu Vania Victor Vicky Vanessa
Wati Wilma Winston Wiki Wano
Yani Yasi Yalo Yolande Yvonne
Zita Zaka Zena Zazu Zidane


The name of a new cyclone is determined by sequentially cycling through lists A, B, C and D, then starting list A again. Names from the standby list E are used as replacements when necessary.



TCWC Port-Moresby, Papua New Guinea
(140E to 160E, north of 10S)

List A List B
(Standby)
Alu Maila
Buri Nou
Dodo Obaha
Emau Paia
Fere Ranu
Guba Sabi
Hibu Tau
Ila Ume
Kama Vali
Lobu Wau


When a cyclone is located or is expected to be located such that two or more tropical cyclone warning centres are involved, every attempt is made to resolve any differences of opinion on the cyclone and its expected behaviour through discussions.
After discussion, the decision of the warning centre with prime responsibility prevails. The warning centre with prime responsibility for the cyclone issues the warning for that cyclone. The warning includes all regions affected by the tropical cyclone, even when these extend into another centre's area of responsibility.