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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

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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

2020 Atlantic hurricane season through Sept. 4, 2020.

Wikipedia

The latest forecast show 24 to 25 storms this year, which means we'll have to start using the Greek alphabet.

Greek Letters

The first six letters of the Greek Alphabet will be used this year for naming Atlantic tropical storms.

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell

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" Storms

Word cloud of "P" storm names before 2020

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell
  • 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.

"P" Named Tropical Storms

Statistics on P-named Atlantic tropical storms before 2020

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell

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" Storms

Word Cloud of "R" storm names prior to 2020

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell
  • 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.

"R" Storms Stats

Statistics on R-named Atlantic tropical storms before 2020

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell
Word Cloud of "S" Storm Names

Word Cloud of "S" storm names prior to 2020

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell
  • 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

Statistics on "S" storms

AccuWeather/Jesse Ferrell
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