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Storms named Laura (retired)

Laura is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 2020 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Laura. Its place on the list now belongs to Leah, on the 2026 list. Since 2008, two storms have been named Laura; the strongest, in 2020, peaked as a Category 4 hurricane.

Times used
2
2008–2020
Strongest
2020 · Cat 4
937 mb
Most recent
2020
Atlantic
Retired
After 2020
Slot now: Leah (2026 list)
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20202008Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Laura been retired?

Yes. Laura is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 2020 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 Laura be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the L slot, now belongs to Leah, on the 2026 Atlantic list, which is the list in use this year.

Every storm named Laura, newest first

Hurricane Laura (2020)

C4
Dates
August 20, 2020 to August 29, 2020 (9 days)
Peak wind
150 mph / 240 km/h · Category 4
Lowest pressure
937 mb
Ocean
Atlantic
Order in season
12th name of 2020

Laura formed in the Atlantic in August 2020 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It made 6 landfalls, first near Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda and last near Prien, United States. The system was tracked for 9 days.

Hurricane Laura (2020): track and history

Tropical Storm Laura (2008)

TS
Dates
September 26, 2008 to October 4, 2008 (8 days)
Peak wind
60 mph / 95 km/h · Tropical storm
Lowest pressure
990 mb
Ocean
Atlantic
Order in season
12th name of 2008

Laura formed in the Atlantic in September 2008 and peaked as a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph (95 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 990 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 8 days.

Tropical Storm Laura (2008): track and history

Where storms named Laura made landfall

StormLandfall nearDate (UTC)Wind
Laura 2020Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda2020-08-21 20:3045 mph / 75 km/h
Laura 2020Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis2020-08-21 23:3045 mph / 75 km/h
Laura 2020Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic2020-08-23 04:3050 mph / 85 km/h
Laura 2020Guisa, Cuba2020-08-24 02:0065 mph / 100 km/h
Laura 2020Consolación del Sur, Cuba2020-08-25 00:0065 mph / 100 km/h
Laura 2020Prien, United States2020-08-27 06:00150 mph / 240 km/h

Why was the storm named Laura?

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 2020 and 2008, Laura was the 12th name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Laura

When was the last time a storm was named Laura?

The most recent was Hurricane Laura in 2020, in the Atlantic. It formed on August 20, peaked at 150 mph (240 km/h) and lasted 9 days. It made landfall near Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. It was the 12th name used in that Atlantic season. Before that, the name was used in 2008.

What was the strongest storm named Laura?

Hurricane Laura in 2020 was the strongest, peaking as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph (240 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb. It formed in the Atlantic in August and made landfall near Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. The weakest of the two, in 2008, peaked at 60 mph (95 km/h).