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
Severe Storms Stick Around Midweek

Severe Storms Stick Around Midweek

We've had quite the active stretch to start t

19 May 2026 4:35 PM
Severe Storms Leave Trail of Destruction on the Plains

Severe Storms Leave Trail of Destruction on the Plains

SUNDAYA potent setup, fueled by record hot te

19 May 2026 4:15 PM
Repeated Rain Raises the Flood Threat Down South

Repeated Rain Raises the Flood Threat Down South

Whenever we talk about the severe weather, it

19 May 2026 11:35 AM
Early Taste of Summer Heat Expands Across the East Coast

Early Taste of Summer Heat Expands Across the East Coast

A big warmup is taking hold across the easter

19 May 2026 11:20 AM
Spring: Frost Alerts Post Winter Alerts in High Country

Spring: Frost Alerts Post Winter Alerts in High Country

ROCKIES - The precipitation will continue to

19 May 2026 2:55 AM
Extreme Fire Danger Causes Thousands of Acres Burned

Extreme Fire Danger Causes Thousands of Acres Burned

Numerous fires have been burning from the pan

19 May 2026 2:00 AM
Saturday Severe Storms; Midwest to the Ohio Valley

Saturday Severe Storms; Midwest to the Ohio Valley

Scattered severe storms have been moving thro

17 May 2026 2:30 AM