CHARLOTTE, N.C. — THE QUESTION
If a hurricane or tropical storm crosses regions, does it get a new name?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, as long as a hurricane or tropical storm doesn’t fall apart before it crosses regions, it does not get a new name.
WHAT WE FOUND
The WMO classifies 10 different regions. They are:
- Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic Names
- Eastern North Pacific Names
- Central North Pacific Names
- Western North Pacific and the South China Sea Names
- Australian Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre's (TCWC) Area of Responsibility
- Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre Nadi's Area of Responsibility
- Port Moresby Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre's Area of Responsibility
- Jakarta Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre's Area of Responsibility
- Northern Indian Ocean Names - Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal
- Southwest Indian Ocean Names
The one we focus on here in the Carolinas is the region that makes up the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the North Atlantic.
So what happens if a hurricane or tropical storm crosses a region?
"As of about 20 years ago, it now keeps its name. Back in 2001, the WMO said no, if a storm crosses from one basin to another, it’s going to keep its name," said Mulcahy.
We have two examples of that in the last 12 years. The most recent was in 2016.
"Back in 2016, Otto was the first storm to make the full crossover since 1996, said Mulcahy.
However, if a storm starts in one region, falls apart, and then picks back up steam in another region, that’s where things are different.
"So it’s gonna get a new name if its just remnants of a system. We just saw that with Agatha. Once it’s no longer a tropical depression, it just goes to the remnants of whatever that name is. Once that remnants crosses over to a new basin, then it’s going to take over into that naming system," said Mulcahy, adding "the remnants of storms happens more than you think. That’s the best chance of going from the Pacific over the Atlantic. For instance, we had Grace that changed over to Marty in 2021 and Nana to Julio in 2020."
RELATED: Weather IQ: How hurricanes form
VERIFY is dedicated to helping the public distinguish between true and false information. The VERIFY team, with help from questions submitted by the audience, tracks the spread of stories or claims that need clarification or correction. Have something you want VERIFIED? Text us at 704-329-3600 or visit VERIFY.