Why do we name our tropical storms names that are boys or girls names, why not just put a number to it?

My friend prayed to his father in heaven for a sign and God brought down a guardian angel in the name of Barry, which was his brother passed away. Now this morning, Florida is about to be hit with a tropical storm named Barry, what a coincident.

Why do we name our tropical storms names that are boys or girls names, why not just put a number to it?
I believe they use names instead of numbers because names are easier to remember.
Reply:Experience shows that the use of short, distinctive given names in written as well as spoken communications is quicker and less subject to error than the older more cumbersome latitude-longitude identification methods. These advantages are specially important in exchanging detailed storm information between hundreds of widely scattered stations, coastal bases, and ships at sea.





The use of easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical storms occur at the same time. For example, one hurricane can be moving slowly westward in the Gulf of Mexico , while at exactly the same time another hurricane can be moving rapidly Northward along the Atlantic coast. In the past, confusion and false rumors have arisen when storm advisories broadcast from radio station were mistaken for warning concerning an entirely different storm located hundreds of miles away.
Reply:aw thats sad, im sorry...im not sure why but i pray for everyones safety! %26lt;3
Reply:it's just easier?





~grace hallie
Reply:Names are nuch easier for the general public to remember. I think it also gives the storm and identity if it has a name.





Maybe the storm's name is a sign for your friend from his father. If I were your friend I would take it as a sign and smile.
Reply:Wow are you guys from Florida? It may be luck, looking over Florida residents. Who knows but pray for Florida!!!





And with numbering the storms. Wouldn't you be terrified after all these years with as many storms as they've had.. would you be terrified to see Hurricane 1,000 or at least Hurricane 666 LOL.. I just don't think I could deal with it, almost thinking like what is wrong with the world to have so many right?





Well good luck and I'm sorry his brother passed and maybe it is a coincedence! a good thing..?
Reply:They used to do that but it became too confusing, particularly when there were multiple storms at the same time.
Reply:its harder that way
Reply:well like any baby storms are a big thing to every1. It could be an event which killed you brother, sister, anyone including you. Now if someone died close to you from a hurricane or storm and your friend asked how he/she died would you like to say storm number 33 killed or by a important remembered name like hurricane Katerina? Also people will get tired from saying #48 #49 #50 it would be like the storms have no meaning anymore. Although no one close to you might have died from a storm other peoples loved ones have and they want to remember the incident which they died in.
Reply:They should named a hurricane after me. Hurricane Merrick! That would be sweet!
Reply:Good question. ask those that do it
Reply:That is so cool.........

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