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Weather Blogs / WeatherMatrix
Tropical storm trivia: P, Q, R and S-named storms
We've already made it to the letter "O" in this year's Atlantic Hurricane season -- and we're not even halfway through yet!
Published Sep 4, 2020 8:45 PM EDT
We've already made it to the letter "O" in this year's Atlantic hurricane season, and we're not even halfway through yet!
2020 Atlantic hurricane season through Sept. 4, 2020.
The latest forecast show 24 to 25 storms this year, which means we'll have to start using the Greek alphabet.
The first six letters of the Greek Alphabet will be used this year for naming Atlantic tropical storms.
Meanwhile, here is some trivia on past "P", "Q", "R" and "S"-named Atlantic tropical storms in history, prior to this season:
Word cloud of "P" storm names before 2020
There have been nine "P" storms in history prior to 2020.
Philippe has been used three times, with Pablo twice.
Paloma was retired in 2008 after the late-season Category 4 caused half a billion dollars damage in Cuba.
Philippe was the earliest "P" storm, forming on Sept. 17, 2005.
This year's name "Paulette" has never been used before.
Statistics on P-named Atlantic tropical storms before 2020
Did you know? There are no "Q" storms (or U, X Y or Z) due to the difficulty in maintaining a list of common names beginning with those letters. After the 21st named storm, the Greek alphabet is used.
Word Cloud of "R" storm names prior to 2020
There have been seven "R" storms in history prior to 2020.
Only Rina has been used more than once.
Roxanne and Rita have been retired.
Rita was the earliest "R" storm to form, on Sept. 18, 2005.
This year's name "Rene" (pronounced Re-NAY) has never been used before.
Statistics on R-named Atlantic tropical storms before 2020
Word Cloud of "S" storm names prior to 2020
There have been six "S" storms in history prior to 2020.
Only Sebastien has been used more than once.
Sandy and Stan have been retired.
Stan was the earliest "S" storm to form, on Oct. 2, 2005.
This year's name "Sally" has never been used before.
Statistics on "S" storms