The National Hurricane Survival Initiative

Each year the World Meteorological Organization appoints a list of names for the upcoming year’s potential hurricanes. These names are sometimes recycled in later years; however, if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name would be inappropriate for reasons of sensitivity, the name is struck from the list. So far, since the first retired name in 1954, 68 names will never be heard again.

National Weather Service/ National Hurricane Center

12 to 16 Named Storms Predicted

Experts at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center are projecting a 60-70 percent chance the Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above normal this year—showing the ongoing active hurricane era remains strong. With the start of hurricane season upon us, NOAA recommends those in hurricane-prone regions begin their preparation plans. For the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season, NOAA scientists predict 12 to 16 named storms, with six to nine becoming hurricanes, of which three to five could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher. An average Atlantic hurricane season brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes.