Fiona and Ian will never again be used to name an Atlantic hurricane

As of 2020, Fiona and Ian will no longer be used to name Atlantic hurricanes. This decision was made by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in order to reduce confusion and the potential for misinterpretation when communicating the threat of a hurricane.

The WMO determines the list of names used for Atlantic hurricanes each year. This list is used by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to name storms that form in the Atlantic basin. The list consists of 21 names, which are used for each year in a repeating cycle. These names are used to identify and track storms, providing a consistent and effective way of communication.

The WMO has previously retired other hurricane names due to the effects of the storm. For example, in 2017, the name Irma was retired due to the devastation caused to the Caribbean islands. Similarly, in 2019, Dorian was retired due to the destruction it caused in the Bahamas.

The decision to retire the names Fiona and Ian was made with the intention of avoiding any confusion or misinterpretation that could occur during the tracking and communication of storms. The WMO noted that both names could potentially be misheard or confused in certain situations, leading to confusion or misunderstanding.

In addition to retiring the names Fiona and Ian, the WMO also announced that it would be introducing four new names to the list of Atlantic hurricane names, replacing them with Francine, Ignacio, Laura, and Omar. These names will be used in the 2021 season.

The WMO also noted that the list of Atlantic hurricane names will continue to be reviewed and updated as needed. This ensures that the names used for storms are accurate and effective in conveying information.

Overall, the retirement of Fiona and Ian and the introduction of new names is an important step in ensuring that effective communication is maintained during hurricane season. This will help to ensure that the potential for confusion and misinterpretation is minimized, providing more effective storm tracking and communication.