The naming of tropical cyclones and temperate cyclones (extratropical cyclones) is an important aspect of meteorology and disaster preparedness. Cyclones are named to facilitate clear communication and to help raise awareness and preparedness levels among the public and authorities. The naming conventions differ between tropical and temperate cyclones due to their distinct characteristics and global distribution.
1. Naming of Tropical Cyclones
Tropical Cyclone Basins and Naming Committees:
Tropical cyclones are named by various meteorological agencies responsible for specific oceanic regions. There are several tropical cyclone basins around the world, and each basin has its own naming system coordinated by regional or national meteorological agencies. The primary agencies and basins include:
- North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico: National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States names hurricanes.
- Eastern North Pacific: National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States names hurricanes.
- Western North Pacific: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) name typhoons.
- Southwest Indian Ocean: Madagascar Meteorological Service, Météo-France Réunion, and Mauritius Meteorological Services name cyclones.
- Australian region (including the South Pacific Ocean): Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and meteorological agencies from neighboring countries name cyclones.
Naming Criteria:
- Lists of Names: Each tropical cyclone basin maintains a list of names that are rotated every few years. The names chosen are often culturally relevant and easily recognizable in the region.
- Alphabetic Order: Names are usually assigned in alphabetical order, alternating between male and female names, although this convention may vary between basins.
Example:
- Hurricane Katrina (2005): Named by the National Hurricane Center in the North Atlantic basin. The name “Katrina” was retired after the 2005 hurricane season due to the extensive damage and loss of life caused by the storm.
- Cyclone Amphan (2020): Named by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the cyclone that affected parts of India and Bangladesh in May 2020. “Amphan” is a name suggested by Thailand and means “sky” in Thai.
2. Naming of Temperate Cyclones (Extratropical Cyclones)
Naming Conventions:
Temperate cyclones, or extratropical cyclones, are typically not named individually like tropical cyclones. Instead, they are referred to collectively by the meteorological terms used to describe their characteristics and behavior.
- Frontal Systems: Extratropical cyclones are often identified by the associated frontal systems, such as warm fronts, cold fronts, and occluded fronts.
- Common Terminology: Terms like “European windstorm” or “nor’easter” are used to describe these cyclones based on their geographic location or predominant wind direction.
Example:
- European Windstorms: Extratropical cyclones affecting Western Europe during the winter months are collectively referred to as European windstorms. These storms are often named by national meteorological services in affected countries for operational and communication purposes.
Importance of Naming Cyclones:
- Communication: Naming cyclones facilitates clear and effective communication between meteorologists, emergency responders, media, and the public.
- Awareness and Preparedness: Named cyclones raise awareness among the public and authorities about potential threats, encouraging preparedness and timely response actions.
- Historical Reference: Retiring names of particularly destructive cyclones honors the memory of victims and provides a historical record of significant events.
Conclusion:
The naming of tropical and temperate cyclones plays a crucial role in meteorology and disaster management, enabling effective communication, enhancing public awareness, and promoting preparedness and response efforts. Regional meteorological agencies carefully select and rotate names to ensure cultural relevance and clarity in communication during cyclone events across different oceanic basins and geographic regions.
