Naming Storm Systems

[lavagal]

If a tropical storm forms halfway between Hawaii and Mexico, how does it end up being named Flossie (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Aug/09/br/br9037248615.html)?


For the most part, Hawaii's weather is boringly wonderful, but I am a self-proclaimed amateur weather goddess fascinated by atmospheric pressure, tropical depressions (monthly!), and freakin' odd weather systems such as tornadoes that hit NYC subways.

[sinjin]

If a tropical storm forms halfway between Hawaii and Mexico, how does it end up being named Flossie?

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml

[lavagal]

I was hoping to start a conversation. Half way between Hawaii and Mexico, and neither a Mexican nor a Hawaiian name was used? Thanks for the link, but it really doesn't answer the question or advance any theories.

[GeckoGeek]

Can you name 6 Hawaiian/Mexican names that start with "F"? Maybe you can talk NOAA into changing their list.

[lavagal]

I think they would probably be spanish in origin? Francisco, Felicia, Ferdinand, Fernando, Felix, Flora, but I'm just guessing that these might fit the bill. I think someone had a favorite cow and wanted to name a storm after her.

I thought this would be a pleasant exchange of ideas, but I am flummoxed so far.

[GeckoGeek]

Felix is used in the Atlantic. I have the feeling that some names get retired. I didn't see any names of famous hurricanes.

I thought this would be a pleasant exchange of ideas, but I am flummoxed so far.

Some subjects that you'd think would do well hardly get any response. And some off-hand remark becomes a big long topic. Never can tell how it goes. Once posted, things take on a life all their own.

[craigwatanabe]

I was hoping to start a conversation. Half way between Hawaii and Mexico, and neither a Mexican nor a Hawaiian name was used? Thanks for the link, but it really doesn't answer the question or advance any theories.

Maybe Flossie was the name of the guy's pet dog who had to come up with a name?

[sinjin]

I was hoping to start a conversation. Half way between Hawaii and Mexico, and neither a Mexican nor a Hawaiian name was used? Thanks for the link, but it really doesn't answer the question or advance any theories.Did you notice the list for storms forming in the Central North Pacific? The list which includes Flossie(Eastern North Pacific) has numerous names of Latin origin including Flossie. My theory is that you only glanced at the provided link.

[lavagal]

Did you notice the list for storms forming in the Central North Pacific? The list which includes Flossie(Eastern North Pacific) has numerous names of Latin origin including Flossie. My theory is that you only glanced at the provided link.

No, I scrolled the entire page. All it did was list names, it didn't explain how names are chosen. That's something I think would be interesting to know about. Sure, it's probably a NWS or NOAA gathering for lunch or it's some obscure clerk somewhere "stuck" with the job each year, much the same way a reporter gets to write all of the down-on-their-luck stories at the papers to inspire donations. It's OK for someone like me to think this could be interesting. It's OK for you to not think it's interesting. But it's not OK to think you can diminish me because we're not on the same page. I don't even know who you are so I have no idea why you'd want to ridicule me.

[LikaNui]

Maybe Flossie was the name of the guy's pet dog who had to come up with a name? Or maybe "Flossie" was suggested by a dentist?
:p

[Pomai]

Or maybe "Flossie" was suggested by a dentist?
:pOr an NOAA official on a beach in Florida noticed a few "Flossies". :D

[sinjin]

It's OK for someone like me to think this could be interesting. It's OK for you to not think it's interesting. But it's not OK to think you can diminish me because we're not on the same page. I don't even know who you are so I have no idea why you'd want to ridicule me.Not my intention. Sorry if you thought so. Just playing. This is what I was referring to:

Central North Pacific Names

List 1
Akoni
Ema
Hana
Io
Keli
Lala
Moke
Nele
Oka
Peke
Uleki
Wila

List 2
Aka
Ekeka
Hali
Iolana
Keoni
Li
Mele
Nona
Oliwa
Paka
Upana
Wene

List 3
Alika
Ele
Huko
Ioke
Kika
Lana
Maka
Neki
Oleka
Peni
Ulia
Wali

List 4
Ana
Ela
Halola
Iune
Kimo
Loke
Malia
Niala
Oko
Pali
Ulika
Walaka

You'll probably find 2009 for the NE Pacific more palatable, at least in the early part of the season :

2009

Andres
Blanca
Carlos
Dolores
Enrique
Felicia
Guillermo
Hilda
Ignacio
Jimena

[Karen]

From the little I have read about it, the World Meteorological Org. chose the names, but so far I haven't found how they chose them. The lists were put out for a good number of years and they rotate, each list being used six years after it was last used, talk about boring! I was thinking its a brand new list each year.

[sinjin]

http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FactShtTCNames1July05.pdf

[Pomai]

NOAA's current visible Pacific satellite loop (http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/tpac/loop-vis.html) (wait for Java to load) shows Flossie as a substantial system. She's currently about halfway between the west coast and Hawaii.

Back to you Joe.

[lavagal]

http://www.wmo.ch/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/FactShtTCNames1July05.pdf

Smooths fuzzy hair, clears throat and says THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT! Thank you. Sometimes I become a weather system myself!

[lavagal]

I guess someone else was thinking about this, too. KGMB just ran a story about naming storms. I N T E R E S T I N G .

[Vanguard]

For the most part, Hawaii's weather is boringly wonderful, but I am a self-proclaimed amateur weather goddess fascinated by atmospheric pressure, tropical depressions (monthly!), and freakin' odd weather systems such as tornadoes that hit NYC subways.

As someone who's had to endure some midwest-esque weather on the east coast, I'll gladly send you a few F2 tornadoes and severe thunderstorm systems in exchange for the boringly wonderful Hawai'i that I miss now more than ever. :p

Maybe I should start a weather tour. I know a few stations that turn into waterfalls on days like that.

[Karen]

Lava, maybe they read here, too. :D

[zztype]

Eh, no make fun! I get one auntie named Flossie in Hilo! Sweetest woman you would ever hope to meet!

"Flossie" is a nickname for Florence, which is how my auntie became known as such. She's also Portuguese, which might at least hint to the Hispanic naming.

Aloha,

Blaine

[lavagal]

Eh, no make fun! I get one auntie named Flossie in Hilo! Sweetest woman you would ever hope to meet!

"Flossie" is a nickname for Florence, which is how my auntie became known as such. She's also Portuguese, which might at least hint to the Hispanic naming.

Aloha,

Blaine

Eh Blaine, you one movie star? I think I recognize that avatar!

Here's to the toughest Flossie around being Blaine's auntie in Hilo!

[sinjin]

Smooths fuzzy hair, clears throat and says THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT! Thank you. Sometimes I become a weather system myself!I am your humble servant.;)

[Pomai]

Sometimes I become a weather system myself! Hurricane Paula Closes Florida Schools for October (http://www.bbspot.com/News/2004/09/hurricane_paula.html)

Probably no chance they'd name a hurricane "Pomai". Although when I was a kid, sometimes my parents would call my bedroom a "hurricane". :p

(Now) Hurricane Flossie looks like she gained strength. Latest NOAA report (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCMEP4+shtml/101451.shtml) indicates winds currently sustained at 65 KT with gusts at 80 KT (translated a bit higher in MPH). She's also getting closer (http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/goes/west/tpac/vis-l.jpg). Hopefully those cool waters will calm her down.

[lavagal]

I'm scheduled to appear in 2010 as well!