Hurricane season is underway. What are the hurricane names for 2008?
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Hurricane Bertha on the map
What are the names for 2008? What are the projections?
Hurricane season is already underway and the buzz is heating up around the Internet regarding the first hurricane of 2008, Hurricane Bertha. Bertha is currently a category one hurricane, but it has the potential to further strengthen in the coming days. The storm is still thousands of miles out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and there is no imminent threat to land. The current projected path of the NOAA would take the storm near Bermuda, but would keep it away from any landfall in the United States.
So this hurricane is named Bertha, but how do they get these hurricane names anyways? Beginning in 1953 the National Hurricane Center began naming storms that reached tropical storm status with human names. From 1953 through 1979 only female names were used, but after many protests the Hurricane Center added male names as well. Now male and female names are rotated throughout the name list for the year. The current naming system has six different lists of hurricane names, so each list is re-used on the seventh year. If a hurricane is extremely catastrophic and results in a large loss of human life that name is retired from the list forever.
What are this year's names? The 2008 names for hurricanes in the Atlantic are as follows: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
What happens if letters after W are needed? If more names are necessary then the Greek alphabet is used. For example if Wilfred has to be used and there comes another tropical storm after that it would be named Alpha.
Dr. William Gray of Colorado State University, in his 25th year of forecasting hurricanes, is projecting 15 named storms and 8 hurricanes this year. Those numbers are well-above the long-term average of 10 named storms and 6 hurricanes. Dr. Gray also puts the probability of the landfall of a major hurricane in the United States this year at 69%. The chance for an average season sits at 52%.
It sounds like we need to be ready for an active hurricane season ahead. Let's hope that everyone around the coastlines are preparing themselves for the worst, just in case.
John Gray on his 2008 forecast
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Yeah those are some pretty high odds. We'll see how his predictions look later this year. Thanks for the comments!
extreme weather is fascinating, thanks for the info.
Good info, I haven't taken the time to research the conditions for this year yet so thanks for the heads up.
After living thru 6 in 4 years in North Carolina I moved to South Florida and saw all those from 2003-2005. I quit counting, now all I do is stay prepared. No one should wait for one to show up before getting all the supplies needed.
Health Conscious, where were you at in North Carolina for those 6? I was actually on vacation near Wilmington when one came through. Don't care to be around for another one!
Wow! I always wondered how they came up with the hurricane names!
Thanks for the comment. Yeah I didn't know either before researching it.
WOW I DIDNT NO HOW THEY CAMES UP WITH THEM NAMES . I FEEL SO VERY EDUCATED!!!
NateRider 3 years ago
Wow, those are some high chances from this guy. I've been fascinated with the weather and its strength for most of my life. While I have no aspirations to become a meteorologist, I still try to learn what I can about it. I never knew how the hurricane naming system worked, but I guess it's simple. Also, I guess that means Katrina is off the list.
Good, informative hub. :)