Why hurricanes have names

Names are easier to remember than numbers and technical terms. It is easier for the media to report on, and for people to pay attention to, than if a hurricane was named, for example, Hurrican Two.

• The names come in alphabetical order from a set of six lists.
• The names used in 2020 (Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, etc.) will come around again in 2026.
• The letters beginning with Q, U, X, Y, Z are omitted.
• If forecasters run out of the alphabet, they turn to the Greek alphabet.
• If a storm was particularly devastating, then those names are retired, such as Hurrican Andrew, Hugo, and Katrina.