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Hurricanes 2025: Why Storm Melissa is causing a stir!
Discover the fascinating background behind the naming of hurricanes like “Melissa” and how they formed in the North Atlantic.
Hurricanes 2025: Why Storm Melissa is causing a stir!
Hurricanes and their names, a fascinating topic that interests many people. As of October 29, 2025, the name “Melissa” is on the list of North Atlantic tropical cyclones. The naming takes place according to a strict system set by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is coordinated.
The special thing about the naming system is that it includes an alphabetical list of 21 letters. The first storm name this year was Andrea, and the list is reused every six years. Interestingly, the name “Melissa” is only used once the tropical depression has transformed into a storm, which requires wind speeds of at least 39 mph (63 km/h).
Formation of hurricanes
But how does a hurricane actually form? Various factors have to come together, like this Water temperature, which must be at least 26 degrees Celsius, as well as a humid and unstable atmosphere. It is also important that the system is at least five degrees of latitude from the equator to allow the Coriolis force, which is responsible for the hurricane's rotation, to play.
During the formation process, the warm water evaporates, and the formation of powerful thunderclouds through convection leads to the organization of these clouds into a rotating system. A cloud-free eye is created in the middle. On the other hand, hurricanes are classified according to the Saffir-Simpson scale, which takes into account wind speed and potential damage.
Name changes and their reasons
In the case of particularly devastating storms, the name is deleted and replaced with a new one. This measure not only serves security, but also clear communication and warning of the population. Before 1979, only women's names were used; Since then, these have been given alternately with men's names. The WMO plans to continue the North Atlantic lists until 2029.
The need for such a system becomes clear when considering the devastating power of these storms. A name like “Melissa” not only attracts attention, but also reminds us of the responsibility that comes with the force of nature. The goal remains clear: communication about storms should be made as precise and understandable as possible in order to minimize the risk to the population.
In conclusion, the world of hurricane names is more than just a system: it is part of a complex framework of science and safety that helps warn and protect us in stormy times.