Has There Ever Been a Hurricane Jane?

Hurricanes have been a fixture of the weather world for centuries, causing destruction and chaos wherever they roam. With names like Harvey, Irma, and Katrina, it’s easy to get lost in the alphabet soup of hurricane names. But have you ever wondered if there’s been a Hurricane Jane? The answer is a surprising no.

In the world of tropical cyclones, hurricanes are typically given names in alphabetical order, alternating between male and female names. This system was introduced in the 1950s to make it easier to identify and communicate about storms. But despite being one of the most popular female given names in the United States, Hurricane Jane has never made an appearance on the list.

According to records from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the closest hurricane name to Jane is Janne, which was used in 2014. Janne was a Category 4 hurricane that formed over the eastern Pacific Ocean and ultimately dissipated without making landfall.

So what’s the reason for the lack of a Hurricane Jane? One possibility is that the NHC simply hasn’t gotten around to using the name yet. With over 21,000 possible names in the official list, it’s possible that Jane has simply been overlooked in the rotation.

Another possibility is that the NHC has deliberately avoided using Jane due to its association with the goddess of sorrow and chaos in Roman mythology. Who knows? Maybe they’re just trying to avoid any bad PR.

Despite the lack of a Hurricane Jane, there have been plenty of other notable hurricanes with female names. Hurricane Beulah in 1967 was one of the deadliest hurricanes in Texas history, while Hurricane Wilma in 2005 was one of the costliest storms ever to hit South Florida.

So the next time a hurricane is brewing on the radar, you might be thinking, “But where’s my Hurricane Jane?” The answer is: she may never come.