MIAMI – As the Atlantic hurricane season progresses, the impending tropical storm will be christened Dolly. This naming decision is purely coincidental and bears no connection to the recent passing of Dolly Parton, as confirmed on Tuesday.
The World Meteorological Organization sets the naming protocols for storm systems, utilizing a rotational list every six years. These lists alternate between male and female names, following an alphabetical sequence specifically for the Atlantic basin.
The season began with Tropical Storm Arthur striking the U.S. Gulf Coast in June. Following that, Tropical Storm Bertha brought considerable rainfall to Louisiana and Texas in July. Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Cristobal briefly formed and faded in the Atlantic.
The National Hurricane Center is currently observing a weather system off the coast of Africa, which could intensify into a named tropical storm.
Forecasters from the Miami-based center indicated on Tuesday evening that conditions are conducive for the cluster of thunderstorms south of the Cabo Verde Islands to develop into a tropical depression within the upcoming week.
If it further develops, with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph (63 kph), the system would be named Tropical Storm Dolly.
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Forecasters said another weather system in the Atlantic far northeast of Bermuda was disorganized Tuesday and had a poor chance of further development.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecast a below-average Atlantic hurricane season due to El Nino. It forecast eight to 14 named storms, with three to six of them reaching hurricane strength and one to three of those intensifying to major hurricanes.
The NHC and other weather agencies name storms to easily communicate warnings about them to people and to avoid confusion. The WMO says names are chosen to be short, easy to pronounce and familiar to the regions of the world where the storm names are used. It meets regularly to evaluate potential names, and some names are retired for reasons of sensitivity, particularly for deadly or destructive storms.
One name from the 2025 season was retired, Melissa, which was a Category 5 hurricane that brought devastation to the Caribbean.
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