2011 Atlantic hurricane retirement predictions

[IntelliStar]

If you think any names this year will be retired, which ones it will be?

I would say that so far only Irene is likely to be retired as it caused $10.1 billion in damages ($3.1 billion in the Caribbean, and $7 billion in the United States).  Arlene and Harvey may have a slight chance, but are unlikely.  Everything else so far is here to stay.

However, if Katia affects Canada, it could have a chance, considering Canada's rather low retirement standards (as proven with Juan in 2003 and Igor in 2010).

[TWCC_DJK5555]

What exactly are the criteria for retirement?

Irene caused a lot of damage, but most of the structural damage was caused by flooding rain, NOT wind or storm surge.

A lot of damage, but very little thorough devastation a la Katrina or Andrew.  Honestly, I can see the name "Irene" NOT being retired.

[Trevor]

IIRC, they are retired when they get a lot of publicity and effect land. For instance, if we would have kept Katrina this year, everyone would think back to 2005, and MS and LA. IMO, Irene will be retired.

[phw115wvwx]

There really is no set criteria for retirement of names.  Any government of a country that feels a storm has caused so much death and destruction to where they feel that name cannot be used again for historical reasons place in a nominee to have its name retired.  By the following spring, the World Meteorological Organization takes all the nominees and votes on retirements and any new names to replace them.

[toxictwister00]

I believe Irene will be retired. If for nothing else the flooding, the death toll was terrible too considering it wasn't a very powerful storm, but it was very massive.

[IntelliStar]

There really is no set criteria for retirement of names.  Any government of a country that feels a storm has caused so much death and destruction to where they feel that name cannot be used again for historical reasons place in a nominee to have its name retired.  By the following spring, the World Meteorological Organization takes all the nominees and votes on retirements and any new names to replace them.

Exactly.  FYI, the record low for a retired hurricane name (in terms of damage) was 1990's Hurricane Klaus, which caused only about $1 million in damage.  France requested its name to the WMO for retirement, and I don't think there have been any cases where the WMO has turned down any request.

Here are a few names that I thought should have been retired, but were not:

• Gordon (1994)
• Bonnie (1998)
• Dolly (2008)
• Hanna (2008)
• Agatha (EPac, 2010)
• Alex (2010)
• Karl (2010)
• Matthew (2010)

[Localonthe8s]

Irene would be retired without a doubt.

[Star4000 Fan]

If Irene is retired, what would be it's replacement?  The only names I can come up with that haven't been used are Inez (has it been used) and Ildiko.

I would have to say that the 2005 replacements weren't so inspiring. 
Katrina -> Katia? 
Rita -> Rina? 
Stan -> Sean? 

At least Whitney replacing Wilma was interesting!

[IntelliStar]

If Irene is retired, what would be it's replacement?  The only names I can come up with that haven't been used are Inez (has it been used) and Ildiko.

I would have to say that the 2005 replacements weren't so inspiring. 
Katrina -> Katia? 
Rita -> Rina? 
Stan -> Sean? 

At least Whitney replacing Wilma was interesting!

Inez has already been retired.

Here are some possibilities:

• Isa
• Izzy
• Ivy
• Ila
• Ilsa
• Iman
• Iphigenia
• Idelia
• Ilaria
• Imelda
• Immacolata
• Ines (with an S, not a Z)
• Italia
• Ilene
• Ivory
• Ivonette
• Ivonne
• Idoya
• Ivette
• Izumi
• Iva
• Ioanna
• Irena

[stormymikala]

I think Irene has a chance of the name being retired.

Intellistar, you came up with lots of names. I'll add to your list with Iesha and Ivanka.

[IntelliStar]

With the WMO meetings going on right now, I think now is the time to make are final predictions.

It looks like the final damage total for Irene was $18.7 billion, so I would be extremely surprised if Irene isn't retired.

Also, Lee's final damage total is $1.6 billion, so it may also have a medium chance at retirement.

[IntelliStar]

It's official, Irene has been retired.  Lee, on the other hand was spared.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/sciencefair/post/2012/04/hurricane-irene-name-retired-goes-satellite-retired/1