Storms named Bob (retired)

Bob is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 1991 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Bob. Its place on the list now belongs to Bill, on the 2027 list. Since 1985, two storms have been named Bob; the strongest, in 1991, peaked as a Category 3 hurricane.

Times used

1985–1991

Strongest

1991 · Cat 3

950 mb

Most recent

1991

Atlantic

Retired

After 1991

Slot now: Bill (2027 list)

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19911985Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Bob been retired?

Yes. Bob is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 1991 storm. It is one of 100 names retired there since 1954 (Tropical Cyclone Naming History and Retired Names).

A name is retired when a storm was so deadly or costly that using the name again would be insensitive; the World Meteorological Organization then picks a new name with the same first letter at its annual meeting.

When will Bob be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the B slot, now belongs to Bill, on the 2027 Atlantic list, which is next used in 2027.

Every storm named Bob, newest first

Hurricane Bob (1991)

Dates: August 16, 1991 to August 29, 1991 (13 days)
Peak wind: 115 mph / 185 km/h · Category 3
Lowest pressure: 950 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 2nd name of 1991

Bob formed in the Atlantic in August 1991 and peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It made 3 landfalls, first near Charlestown, United States and last near Rockland, United States. The system was tracked for 13 days.

Hurricane Bob (1991): track and history

Hurricane Bob (1985)

Dates: July 21, 1985 to July 26, 1985 (5 days)
Peak wind: 75 mph / 120 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 1002 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 2nd name of 1985

Bob formed in the Atlantic in July 1985 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1002 mb. It made landfall near Hilton Head Island, United States. The system was tracked for 5 days.

Hurricane Bob (1985): track and history

Where storms named Bob made landfall

Storm	Landfall near	Date (UTC)	Wind
Bob 1991	Charlestown, United States	1991-08-19 17:20	105 mph / 165 km/h
Bob 1991	Narragansett, United States	1991-08-19 18:00	100 mph / 155 km/h
Bob 1991	Rockland, United States	1991-08-20 01:30	70 mph / 110 km/h
Bob 1985	Hilton Head Island, United States	1985-07-25 03:00	75 mph / 120 km/h

Why was the storm named Bob?

Names go in alphabetical order, one per storm, as each storm reaches tropical-storm strength (39 mph, 34 knots), so a storm’s place in its season decides its name.

In both 1991 and 1985, Bob was the 2nd name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Bob

When was the last time a storm was named Bob?

The most recent was Hurricane Bob in 1991, in the Atlantic. It formed on August 16, peaked at 115 mph (185 km/h) and lasted 13 days. It made landfall near Charlestown, United States. It was the 2nd name used in that Atlantic season. Before that, the name was used in 1985.

What was the strongest storm named Bob?

Hurricane Bob in 1991 was the strongest, peaking as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 950 mb. It formed in the Atlantic in August and made landfall near Charlestown, United States. The weakest of the two, in 1985, peaked at 75 mph (120 km/h).