Hurricane names

I had a question contained in one of the comments to yesterday's hurricane update: we now have hurricanes Gordon, Helene and Lane. What about I, J and K?

Gordon and Helene are in the Atlantic Ocean; Lane is in the Eastern Pacific. Each oceanic basin has its own set of names to be allocated to tropical cyclones of tropical storm or hurricane strength. There are several sets of names for each basin, which are used in successive years. So in a few years time, you might again find a hurricane Gordon in the Atlantic. The same applies to the other ocean basins where hurricanes occur. The full lists can be viewed on the NHC website.

Hurricane names are removed from lists if a system has led to a large loss of life and or property. An example is Katrina.

In the Western Pacific, tropical hurricanes are called typhoons; in the Australian area, they are referred to as tropical cyclones. They normally occur in the summer season, as their primary source of energy is heat and water. Hurricanes form over waters that are 27C / 80F or warmer, in conditions of little wind throughout the atmosphere. Have a look at the Weather School on the Central Pacific Hurricane Center's website. Their strength is measured on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Although hurricanes are extremely powerful and have huge destructive potential, they are a necessary mechanism to carry heat away from the tropics to higher latitudes. How powerful is a hurricane? A hurricane of category 5 strength carries enough energy to keep mankind going for 20 years.

I am fascinated by these phenomena, which everyone should treat with the respect they deserve. The National Hurricane Center issues advisories for the North Atlantic and East Pacific, and if a system is near land I usually relay them through this blog. Anyone who is concerned about a hurricane nearing their part of the coast, should ONLY rely on the NHC for advice, and consult their advisories.