Is your name on this year’s Atlantic and Pacific hurricane list? Check 2024’s lists here
The Atlantic and Pacific Ocean hurricane seasons started within the last month, and although both seasons don’t typically peak until later in the summer, an early-season hurricane isn’t out of the question.
That’s especially true this year, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season in the Atlantic. NOAA predicts there will be 17 to 25 named storms in the Atlantic, with eight to 13 becoming hurricanes and four to seven becoming Category 3 or stronger.
However, inversely, NOAA also forecasts a below-average year for the Central Pacific, with a 50% chance of seeing a below-average number of tropical cyclones. The Central Pacific typically sees four to five storms per year.
Idaho rarely experiences hurricanes, although the Gem State received the remnants of Hurricane Hilary in August 2023. Before Hilary, you must go back to Hurricane Kathleen in 1976 to find a hurricane that significantly impacted Idaho.
So, if Idaho doesn’t have to worry too much about getting hit by a hurricane, what is there to care about for Idahoans?
Every storm that becomes a hurricane is named to avoid confusion if multiple storms happen simultaneously. Name lists are recycled every six years, but names can be retired if a storm is particularly strong or damaging, such as Katrina in 2005 or Harvey in 2017.
NOAA oversees the naming lists used for both Atlantic and Eastern North Pacific hurricanes and tropical storms. Check if your name is on one of this year’s lists:
Atlantic names
Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Francine
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Milton
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sara
Tony
Valerie
William
Eastern North Pacific names
Aletta
Bud
Carlotta
Daniel
Emilia
Fabio
Gilma
Hector
Ileana
John
Kristy
Lane
Miriam
Norman
Olivia
Paul
Rosa
Sergio
Tara
Vicente
Willa
Xavier
Yolanda
Zeke
