Naming of Tropical and Subtropical Cyclones

Earlier, tropical storms were identified in random ways — by places, objects, or even feast days of saints. But this caused confusion in communication and disaster warnings.

👉 The first systematic step came from Clement Wragg, a Queensland Government Meteorologist (Australia), who used personal names for cyclones between 1887–1907.

Today, naming is a formal, scientific, and coordinated system managed by regional warning centers under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Naming tropical cyclones makes it easier to communicate warnings, raise awareness, and ensure efficient disaster response. Instead of using long, complicated numbers or scientific terms, short and simple names help the public, meteorologists, and disaster management teams track storms effectively.

Who Names Tropical Cyclones?

There are six Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) and five Tropical Cyclone Warning Centres (TCWCs) worldwide, responsible for:
✔ Issuing tropical cyclone advisories 🌀
✔ Tracking & forecasting storms 🌦️
✔ Naming tropical cyclones 📛

India’s Role in Naming Cyclones 🇮🇳

✅ The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is one of the six RSMCs.
✅ It is responsible for naming tropical cyclones forming over the North Indian Ocean, including:

• Bay of Bengal 🌊
• Arabian Sea 🌊

WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones

🌎 Established in 1972, this is a regional intergovernmental body under:

• World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific (ESCAP)

Objectives of WMO/ESCAP Panel

✔ Improve cyclone warning systems in the Bay of Bengal & Arabian Sea.
✔ Share technical information on cyclone research and forecasting.

Member Countries 🌏

1. 🇮🇳 India
2. 🇧🇩 Bangladesh
3. 🇲🇻 Maldives
4. 🇲🇲 Myanmar
5. 🇴🇲 Oman
6. 🇵🇰 Pakistan
7. 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
8. 🇹🇭 Thailand
9. 🇮🇷 Iran
10. 🇶🇦 Qatar
11. 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
12. 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
13. 🇾🇪 Yemen

How Are Cyclones Named?

• If a tropical storm’s wind speed reaches 63 km/h or more, it is given a name.
• Names are assigned sequentially from pre-submitted lists when a cyclone forms.
• The naming process started in the Indian Ocean region in 2000, and by 2004, a final formula was agreed upon.

Cyclone Naming in the Indian Ocean Region 🌊

Eight countries originally contributed names:
🇧🇩 Bangladesh | 🇮🇳 India | 🇲🇻 Maldives | 🇲🇲 Myanmar | 🇴🇲 Oman | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | 🇹🇭 Thailand

• Each country submits a set of names.
• Names are assigned one after another in a fixed order.
• When a cyclone forms, the next name in line is used.

🌟 Example: Cyclone Amphan (2020) was named by Thailand.

When Are Cyclone Names Retired? ❌📛

✔ Cyclones that cause extreme destruction (huge loss of life & property) have their names retired out of respect.
✔ These names are NOT reused for at least 10 years.
✔ New names are introduced to replace retired ones.

🌟 Example: Cyclone Nargis (2008) & Cyclone Phailin (2013) were retired.

Why Is Naming Cyclones Important? 🤔

✅ Clear Communication – Helps forecasters, media, and the public track storms easily.
✅ Avoids Confusion – Different storms can be easily distinguished when multiple storms are active.
✅ Improves Awareness – People take warnings more seriously when a storm has a name.
✅ Enhances Preparedness – Governments & disaster agencies can respond effectively.

Naming Systems in other parts of the World.

1. Hurricanes (North Atlantic Ocean)

• Authority: National Hurricane Center (NHC, Miami, USA).
• Practice:
  • Till 1953 → unnamed or named after saints/places.
  • 1953–1978 → only female names.
  • 1978 onwards → both male and female names included (after protest from women’s groups).
• System:
  • 6 rotating lists (A–W, but Q & U avoided).
  • Alternate between male and female names.
  • If a hurricane is very deadly or costly, its name is retired (e.g., Katrina, 2005) → replaced by WMO’s Hurricane Committee.

2. Eastern Pacific Ocean

• Authority:
  • National Hurricane Center (Miami, USA).
  • Regional Specialized Meteorological Center (RSMC, Miami).
• Assign names on behalf of WMO.

3. Western Pacific Ocean (Typhoons)

• Authority: Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
• Philippines Special Case:
  • PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) maintains its own naming list for cyclones within its “Philippine Area of Responsibility.”
  • So, one storm may have two names — an international name (from JMA list) and a local name (from PAGASA list).
• System:
  • JMA assigns names from 5 lists prepared by ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee.
  • Started in 1998 (14 member countries submitted names).
  • PAGASA rotates 4 lists of 25 names, reused every 4 years.

4. South Pacific & Australian Region (Willy-Willies)

• Authorities: Different meteorological centers (Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea).
• They use their own regional naming lists approved by WMO.