Storms named Charley (retired)

Charley is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 2004 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Charley. Its place on the list now belongs to Colin, on the 2028 list. Since 1980, five storms have been named Charley; the strongest, in 2004, peaked as a Category 4 hurricane.

Times used

1980–2004

Strongest

2004 · Cat 4

941 mb

Most recent

2004

Atlantic

Retired

After 2004

Slot now: Colin (2028 list)

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20041998199219861980Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Charley been retired?

Yes. Charley is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 2004 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 Charley be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the C slot, now belongs to Colin, on the 2028 Atlantic list, which is next used in 2028.

Every storm named Charley, newest first

Hurricane Charley (2004)

Dates: August 9, 2004 to August 15, 2004 (6 days)
Peak wind: 150 mph / 240 km/h · Category 4
Lowest pressure: 941 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 3rd name of 2004

Charley formed in the Atlantic in August 2004 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It made 5 landfalls, first near Alquízar, Cuba and last near North Myrtle Beach, United States. The system was tracked for 6 days.

Hurricane Charley (2004): track and history

Tropical Storm Charley (1998)

Dates: August 21, 1998 to August 24, 1998 (3 days)
Peak wind: 70 mph / 110 km/h · Tropical storm
Lowest pressure: 1000 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 3rd name of 1998

Charley formed in the Atlantic in August 1998 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1000 mb. It made landfall near Aransas Pass, United States. The system was tracked for 3 days.

Tropical Storm Charley (1998): track and history

Hurricane Charley (1992)

Dates: September 21, 1992 to September 29, 1992 (7 days)
Peak wind: 110 mph / 175 km/h · Category 2
Lowest pressure: 965 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 3rd name of 1992

Charley formed in the Atlantic in September 1992 and peaked as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 7 days.

Hurricane Charley (1992): track and history

Hurricane Charley (1986)

Dates: August 13, 1986 to August 30, 1986 (17 days)
Peak wind: 80 mph / 130 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 980 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 3rd name of 1986

Charley formed in the Atlantic in August 1986 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 980 mb. It made landfall near Morehead City, United States. The system was tracked for 17 days.

Hurricane Charley (1986): track and history

Hurricane Charley (1980)

Dates: August 20, 1980 to August 25, 1980 (5 days)
Peak wind: 80 mph / 130 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 989 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 3rd name of 1980

Charley formed in the Atlantic in August 1980 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 989 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 5 days.

Hurricane Charley (1980): track and history

Where storms named Charley made landfall

Storm	Landfall near	Date (UTC)	Wind
Charley 2004	Alquízar, Cuba	2004-08-13 04:30	120 mph / 195 km/h
Charley 2004	Cape Coral, United States	2004-08-13 19:45	150 mph / 240 km/h
Charley 2004	Punta Gorda Isles, United States	2004-08-13 20:45	145 mph / 230 km/h
Charley 2004	Georgetown, United States	2004-08-14 14:00	80 mph / 130 km/h
Charley 2004	North Myrtle Beach, United States	2004-08-14 16:00	75 mph / 120 km/h
Charley 1998	Aransas Pass, United States	1998-08-22 10:00	45 mph / 75 km/h
Charley 1986	Morehead City, United States	1986-08-17 14:00	75 mph / 120 km/h

Why was the storm named Charley?

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 each of 2004, 1998, 1992, 1986 and 1980, Charley was the 3rd name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Charley

When was the last time a storm was named Charley?

The most recent was Hurricane Charley in 2004, in the Atlantic. It formed on August 9, peaked at 150 mph (240 km/h) and lasted 6 days. It made landfall near Alquízar, Cuba. It was the 3rd name used in that Atlantic season. Before that, the name was used in 1998, 1992, 1986 and 1980.

What was the strongest storm named Charley?

Hurricane Charley in 2004 was the strongest, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 941 mb. It formed in the Atlantic in August and made landfall near Alquízar, Cuba. The weakest of the five, in 1998, peaked at 70 mph (110 km/h).