Why Are Hurricanes Named After Women

Why Are Hurricanes Named After Women?

The History of Hurricane Naming

The practice of naming hurricanes after women began in the late 19th century. Before that, hurricanes were simply referred to by their latitude and longitude or by the name of the saint's day on which they occurred.

In 1888, an Australian meteorologist named Clement Wragge began using women's names to identify tropical cyclones. He chose female names because he believed that they were more easily remembered than male names. Wragge's system was not widely adopted, but it did lay the groundwork for the modern system of hurricane naming.

In 1953, the United States Weather Bureau began using female names for hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific basins. The following year, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) adopted a system of rotating male and female names for tropical cyclones worldwide.

Why Are Hurricanes Named After Women?

There are a few reasons why hurricanes are named after women. One reason is that, historically, women have been seen as symbols of beauty and nature. Hurricanes, which are powerful and destructive storms, can be seen as feminine in this sense.

Another reason why hurricanes are named after women is that it helps to personalize the storms. Giving a hurricane a name makes it easier for people to track the storm's path and to stay informed about its potential impact.

The Controversy Over Hurricane Naming

There has been some controversy over the practice of naming hurricanes after women. Some people argue that it is sexist and that it perpetuates the stereotype that women are weak and helpless.

Others argue that the practice is harmless and that it helps to make hurricanes more memorable and easier to track. They also point out that the WMO has a system in place to ensure that both male and female names are used for hurricanes.

The Future of Hurricane Naming

The WMO is currently considering changing the system of hurricane naming. One proposal is to use a combination of male and female names, as well as names from different cultures.

Another proposal is to use numbers or letters to identify hurricanes. This would help to eliminate the gender bias and would make it easier to track hurricanes in real time.

Conclusion

The practice of naming hurricanes after women is a long-standing tradition. There are a few reasons why this practice began, and there are both pros and cons to continuing it.

The WMO is currently considering changing the system of hurricane naming. It is likely that the system will be changed in the future, but it is not clear what the new system will be.