Image Credit: The Weather Network

 Storm Chantal is the name given to a tropical cyclone that formed in the Atlantic basin. It refers specifically to a storm system that reaches the strength of a tropical storm, meaning it has sustained winds between 39 mph and 73 mph. When such a system forms and meets naming criteria set by meteorological agencies, it is assigned a name from a pre-approved rotating list.

Why is it named Chantal?

  • The name Chantal comes from the official list of storm names maintained by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
  • The Atlantic hurricane season has six rotating lists of names used in sequence each year. The name Chantal is part of one of those lists.
  • Names are assigned alphabetically and alternate between male and female names.
  • Each name is recycled every six years, unless it is retired due to being associated with a particularly deadly or costly storm.

Purpose of Naming Storms:

  • Clarity in communication: Names are easier to remember and help avoid confusion during emergency broadcasts.
  • Public awareness: A named storm garners more attention and urgency than an unnamed system.
  • Consistency in tracking: Meteorologists, governments, and media across the world use the same name for a specific storm.

So, Storm Chantal is simply the name given to a particular tropical storm in the Atlantic, chosen from an internationally recognized list to aid in tracking and public safety messaging.