BREAKING: WMO Retires Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate

news image
Special Stories
12 Apr 2018 9:00 AM
We knew the 2017 hurricane season was bad. So bad, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) announced Thursday that it will retire the names Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate from its rotating list of hurricane names. This happens frequently when tropical systems are particularly deadly or destructive. https://twitter.com/WMO/status/984394745865822209 In a press release they stated, "Due to the extensive damage caused in the United States and Caribbean last year, the World Meteorological Organization’s Region IV Hurricane Committee has officially retired these names. Storm names are retired if they were so deadly or destructive that the future use of the name would be insensitive - otherwise names are reused on a six-year cycle." Adding these four now takes the number of retired names up to 86. Storms began receiving names from the WMO in 1954. 2017 comes in a close second to the 2005 hurricane season, which had the most retired names for one season (five). Harold, Idalia, Margot, and Nigel will take the place of the retired four. The next time this name list will be used will be in 2023.  
All Weather News
More
Heavy Lake Effect Snow for the Great Lakes

Heavy Lake Effect Snow for the Great Lakes

The lake effect snow season has arrived, with

9 Nov 2025 12:30 AM
Arctic Blast To Bring Freezing Air to Millions of Americans

Arctic Blast To Bring Freezing Air to Millions of Americans

Arctic air is set to take a deep dive into th

8 Nov 2025 11:25 PM
Weekend Severe Threat Across the South

Weekend Severe Threat Across the South

The much anticipated cold front to slash temp

8 Nov 2025 11:23 PM
Midwest Clipper Brings Light Snow, Gusty Winds

Midwest Clipper Brings Light Snow, Gusty Winds

A system has been bringing snow across the Pl

8 Nov 2025 11:05 PM
Severe Storms Possible from Ohio to the Gulf Coast Friday and Saturday

Severe Storms Possible from Ohio to the Gulf Coast Friday and Saturday

Secondary severe weather season is underway a

8 Nov 2025 3:00 AM
Next Big Push of Moisture in the Northwest

Next Big Push of Moisture in the Northwest

A series of atmospheric rivers has been respo

6 Nov 2025 11:30 PM
Windy and Stormy Weather For The Northeast

Windy and Stormy Weather For The Northeast

NORTHEAST - The Storm Prediction Center has m

6 Nov 2025 2:10 AM