Interesting Scenario with the Greek-named Storms

[gatorcane]

Many on this board believe we are in for a major hurricane to form in the SW Caribbean or GOM between now and the end of hurricane season in November (Cycloneye's RE: "Will a Major Hurricane form during the rest of season?").

If this storm turns out to be one of the greek names (e.g. "alpha"), can its name be retired?

[hicksta]

good question, lets hope we never find out

[HURAKAN]

The question isn't if it can be retired or not, the question is, can you retire a letter?

[chadtm80]

No.. It can not be retired. Remembered? Yes.. Retired? NO

[gilbert88]

The question isn't if it can be retired or not, the question is, can you retire a letter?

It wouldn't be retired, and I don't think they should...

It would be notable enough for being probably the only Hurricane Alpha in a long time... maybe by the next 22+ tropical season the WMO would come up with a better naming scheme (I like the WPAC's single consecutive list).

[HURAKAN]

What I think they could do is that since the Greek alphabet is not very usable (I mean yearly wise), in the case of a destructive "Greek hurricane", the name could simply be just omitted for the next time the Greek alphabet is used.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Substitute a greek name in place of that greek letter that would
get retired....

[gatorcane]

What I think they could do is that since the Greek alphabet is not very usable (I mean yearly wise), in the case of a destructive "Greek hurricane", the name could simply be just omitted for the next time the Greek alphabet is used.

Yes, it's a valid argument considering that the chances of running out of greek names would be slim.

[chadtm80]

Wont happen guys.. Greek names do not get retired.. Just like they do not retire TD #'s

[chadtm80]

Wont happen guys.. Greek names do not get retired.. Just like they do not retire TD #'s

[gilbert88]

A Greek name... like Hurricane Spyros or Tropical Storm Kostas?

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

A Greek name... like Hurricane Spyros or Tropical Storm Kostas?

That would be awesome!!! Those names I mean...but the mere
fact of discussing having Greek names is really scary...2005
has been a wild season...

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Wont happen guys.. Greek names do not get retired.. Just like they do not retire TD #'s

Wow....they don't get retired
Alpha was a robot in Power Ranges back when I used to watch it
when I was 7 years old (that was 10 years ago).

[gilbert88]

Exactly. I don't think we will see anything like 2005 in the near future. I remember when 1995 with its "Tanya" hurricane was considered the pinnacle of tropical activity in a single year. I never thought I was going to see the list run out (or almost run out).

[Hurricanehink]

Look at the early 1950s (1950-1952). They had some pretty bad storms, Charlie in 51, Easy in 50, that would be retired by today's standards. The same names returned the following year, so the greek storms, when they happen, will likely do the same.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

the disturbing thing about 2005 is that we got so many named storms
given very unfavorable conditions out in the Eastern Atlantic with
constant shear and excess SAL. Imagine 2005 with a favorable
eastern atlantic and lots of CV storms....

[jburns]

I read somewhere that the name will officially be Alpha2005. If that's corrrect it will be retired automatically.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

I read somewhere that the name will officially be Alpha2005. If that's corrrect it will be retired automatically.

Interesting thought. Adding a year to a name seems like a neat idea.

[chadtm80]

No.. It can not be retired. Remembered? Yes.. Retired? NO

[jburns]

the disturbing thing about 2005 is that we got so many named storms
given very unfavorable conditions out in the Eastern Atlantic with
constant shear and excess SAL. Imagine 2005 with a favorable
eastern atlantic and lots of CV storms....

This year almost all developed west of 60 with a high percentage making landfall in the US. In an active Cape Verde season many of those early developers never make it across. Of course the ones that do are often impressive but closer in development didn't seem to inhibit strength this year. I certainly could be wrong but feel that we got more hits from this years setup than we would have with a big CV year.