# Now We Name Subtropical Storms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754 "2002-09-10T02:32:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/1 "2002-09-10T02:32:57Z")
For those who might not be aware, the USA’s East Coast is being pestered by a subtropical storm, Gustav. C’mon! Give me a break! I thought a tropical depression had to at least reach tropical storm status before it got named. What’s the deal here? - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/2 "2002-09-10T02:37:05Z")
This is something new the NHC started this year. I think it’s a good idea, and especially with Gustav. As I write, it’s probably been upgraded to a tropical storm and probably a hurricane. All the indications were that the convection would soon wrap around the center, which was all it needed to reach tropical status. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/3 "2002-09-10T05:11:15Z")
> [@](#): > > The Tropical Prediction Center in Miami, FL keeps a constant watch on oceanic storm-breeding grounds. Once a system with counterclockwise circulation and **wind speeds of 39 mph or greater is identified** , the Center gives the storm a name from the list for the current year. Source: [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/basics/naming.shtml](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/basics/naming.shtml) Also see [http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml](http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutnames.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/4 "2002-09-10T11:09:00Z")
Gustav is just as strong as a regular Tropical Storm, it just doesn’t have the circulating winds and the formation of a tropical storm…at least, that’s how I understand it. Last I heard, Gustav had 45 MPH sustained winds. Jman ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/5 "2002-09-10T14:03:01Z")
And in other news, Washington State continues to be nagged by Incessant Drizzle Freddie, North Dakota cools down under the influence of Canadian Clipper Russle, and the trees in Nevada sway to and fro due to the lingering effects of Northeasterly Breeze Suzan. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2002, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-we-name-subtropical-storms/127754/6 "2002-09-10T15:32:01Z")
This is being discussed in another thread, so I’ll close this one and direct further comment to the other: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134631](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=134631)