Of course…because 2020 and all. We are given 21 names in alphabetical order for hurricanes per year. What happens when you have more than 21 storms in a season? We borrow from the Greek. Starting with storm No. 22, we restart with the Greek Alphabet: Tropical Storm Alpha, then Beta, Gamma, etc… This has only happened one time before — during the active season of 2005. But Tropical Storm Alpha didn’t even form that year until October 22nd. We are just now entering the peak of hurricane season — late September into October and here we are a solid five weeks ahead of that pace.
#TROPICAL UPDATE: In this wide view from @NOAA's #GOES16🛰️, you can see 1 system spinning in the E. Pacific, #Karina, and 5 systems in the Atlantic, #Paulette, #Rene, #Sally, #Teddy, & #Vicky. This is the 1st time since Sept. 1971 with 5 named storms at once in the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/FObks1V5RP
— NOAA Satellites – Public Affairs (@NOAASatellitePA) September 14, 2020