Naming of storms, etc.

Basia · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:08 pm Post subject: Naming of storms, etc.

Off the back of what's happening over in the Americas, I'm curious to know about the origins of the naming of the tropical storms, etc. This first paragraph sums it up, but to find out the up-coming names for years to come, click on the link! Very Happy

The practice of naming hurricanes, typhoons, etc. was initially started back in the early 1940's. Sometimes there were more than 1 of these going at the same time, so meteorologists back then decided to give them names (female, usually after wives, girlfriends) to keep track of them easier. The practice stuck and remains to this day. In 1979 it was decided to alternate names male and female (likely to avoid accusations of sexism). The current names were decided by the World Meteorological Organization and the list repeats every 6 years. If a hurricane is particular damaging then it's name is retired and replaced with another (there will never again be a Katrina or Andrew, for example).

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gumbo · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject:

Quote:

In 1979 it was decided to alternate names male and female (likely to avoid accusations of sexism).

Ahh! That makes sense why that old joke doesn’t make “technical” sense anymore.

The joke was:

- Why are hurricanes named after women?
- Because, when they arrive in your life, they’re wet and wild…
- But, by the time they’ve gone… you’ve lost your house and car.

Laughing

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Sometimes, you just have to take the leap and build your wings on the way down

Basia · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

Yep, even the Met Office has to be PC!!! Laughing

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