Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Climatology | Impacts | Extremes| TCs affecting WA towns | Forecast Accuracy
Frequently Asked Questions | Annual summaries

Definitions | Characteristics and Formation | Climatology | Extremes | Forecasting | More Information

Definitions

12. Why and how are cyclone names chosen?

Tropical cyclones are named to provide ease of communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Having a name also raises the profile of the cyclone heightening the public's awareness. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same region at the same time, names can also reduce the confusion about what storm is being described.

Each Australian Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre (Perth, Darwin and Brisbane) maintains a list of around 50 names (arranged alphabetically and alternating male and female). A name remains on the list until its corresponding cyclone severely impacts the coast (e.g.Rosita and Vance). The name is then permanently retired and replaced with another (of the same gender and first letter). It takes around 10 years from the time a name is put on the list to when it is first used to name a cyclone. We do not accept requests from the public to have a name put on the list.