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
Flash Flood Threat Persists This Week

Flash Flood Threat Persists This Week

WHAT TO EXPECTNew rounds of rainfall are expe

23 Jun 2026 10:30 AM
I-95 Corridor Under Severe Risk Through Tuesday

I-95 Corridor Under Severe Risk Through Tuesday

Devastating storms ripped through the heartla

23 Jun 2026 10:20 AM
Heat Returns to the West

Heat Returns to the West

This week, an upper level ridge takes over pa

23 Jun 2026 10:15 AM
Active Week Ahead For The Plains

Active Week Ahead For The Plains

Storms fired up across the plains, and a seve

23 Jun 2026 10:10 AM
Illinois Smashes Yearly Tornado Record in 2026

Illinois Smashes Yearly Tornado Record in 2026

We're only half way through 2026 and Illinois

23 Jun 2026 1:00 AM
Summer Solstice Kicks Off Father's Day Sunday

Summer Solstice Kicks Off Father's Day Sunday

Fathers across the country will have to share

21 Jun 2026 5:20 PM
Flood Risk Continues This Weekend for the Gulf Coast States

Flood Risk Continues This Weekend for the Gulf Coast States

Numerous flash flood warnings were issued as

21 Jun 2026 1:15 PM