by Curlan Campbell
- If storm name causes significant death or destruction, it’s retired and replaced
- Atlantic storm names Beryl, Helene, Milton replaced by Brianna, Holly, and Miguel
- In Pacific system, John storm name replaced by Jake
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has officially retired 4 storm names, marking the 2024 hurricane season as one of the most destructive in recent memory.
During a press briefing as part of preparedness for the start of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Gerard Tamar, forecaster and Head of the Grenada Meteorological Office, shared details on the retired names and reflected on the impact of last year’s storms. “At the end of the season, looking back at it,” Tamar said, “the hurricane committee of our region decided to retire a couple of names. Because, you know, once a system has proven to be catastrophic in one way or the other — like, respect is due to it — the name is retired.”
If a storm name causes significant death or destruction, it’s retired and replaced to avoid future use. Last year’s hurricane season resulted in notable names retired and being replaced: Beryl was replaced by Brianna, Helene was replaced by Holly, and Milton was replaced by Miguel.
“Of course, the name Beryl was retired,” Tamar confirmed. “That one, she was serious. Powerful system, and a name like that won’t be used again. You may remember Helene caused quite a bit of deaths and destruction in the US,” he noted. “So Helene is now retired, too.” Tamar said that Milton’s “explosive tendency” and rapid intensification and dangerous behaviour during landfall meant it would be replaced by Miguel.”
The WMO maintains an alternative list of names for storms that exceed 21 in a season. The significant increase in Atlantic storms has been attributed to warming waters and climate change.
Tamar, in addition to reporting on Atlantic storms, noted that in the Pacific system, John retired and was replaced by Jake. “Now, in the eastern Pacific, which is not really in our area — but the [US National] Hurricane Centre does have jurisdiction over that, and there was one system which hit the west coast of Mexico: Hurricane John. That will be replaced by Hurricane Jake.”
According to Tamar, the decision to retire multiple names is never taken lightly, and it underscores the extraordinary toll these storms had on the region. “2024 was indeed a very significant season for us,” Tamar emphasised. “Not just because of the number of systems, but the impact. The deaths, the damage — it was a tough year. These retirements reflect that.”
Tamar praised the coordination between national meteorological offices and regional bodies, adding that early warnings and community preparedness likely prevented even worse outcomes in many territories.
Other retired names include:
- Ian (2022)
- Ida (2021)
- Harvey, Irma, and Maria (2017)
- Sandy (2012)
- Katrina (2005)
These names represent some of the most catastrophic modern storms in history. With the start of the 2025 hurricane season, forecasters are advising the public to stay vigilant and prepared.
The 2025 Atlantic storm names are:
- Andrea
- Barry
- Chantal
- Dexter
- Erin
- Fernand
- Gabrielle
- Humberto
- Imelda
- Jerry
- Karen
- Lorenzo
- Melissa
- Nestor
- Olga
- Pablo
- Rebekah
- Sebastien
- Tanya
- Van
- Wendy
