National Weather ServiceAfter a record 28 named storms last year, NOAA is predicting 13 to 16 named Atlantic storms this year. While that number seems low it is still above average, and perhaps more astonishing is the fact that our first named storm, tropical storm Alberto has already made a pass over Florida!

As a sneak preview, here are the 21 names set aside for this year’s tropical storms/hurricanes. NOAA even has the next five years already listed.

  1. Alberto
  2. Beryl
  3. Chris
  4. Debby
  5. Ernesto
  6. Florence
  7. Gordon
  8. Helene
  9. Isaac
  10. Joyce
  11. Kirk
  12. Leslie
  13. Michael
  14. Nadine
  15. Oscar
  16. Patty
  17. Rafael
  18. Sandy
  19. Tony
  20. Valerie
  21. William

In addition to setting the record for the most named storms last year, we also retired more storm names last year than any other. A storm name is retired if there is sufficient loss of life or property to make in inappropriate to reuse the name. Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma were all retired last year. If a name is not retired it will be reused seven years later.

For the most straight-up, factual information about tropical storms and hurricanes visit the National Hurricane Center’s site. For the best local weather with no ads check out weather.gov.

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