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Storms named Michelle (retired)

Michelle is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 2001 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Michelle. Its place on the list now belongs to Molly, on the 2031 list. It is the only storm named Michelle in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.

Times used
1
2001
Strongest
2001 · Cat 4
933 mb
Most recent
2001
Atlantic
Retired
After 2001
Slot now: Molly (2031 list)
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2001Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Michelle been retired?

Yes. Michelle is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 2001 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 Michelle be used again?

It won’t be. Retired names are not used again on the Atlantic lists. Its place on the list, the M slot, now belongs to Molly, on the 2031 Atlantic list, which is next used in 2031.

Every storm named Michelle, newest first

Hurricane Michelle (2001)

C4
Dates
October 29, 2001 to November 6, 2001 (8 days)
Peak wind
140 mph / 220 km/h · Category 4
Lowest pressure
933 mb
Ocean
Atlantic
Order in season
13th name of 2001

Michelle formed in the Atlantic in October 2001 and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 933 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Nueva Gerona, Cuba and last near Nassau, Bahamas. The system was tracked for 8 days.

Hurricane Michelle (2001): track and history

Where storms named Michelle made landfall

StormLandfall nearDate (UTC)Wind
Michelle 2001Nueva Gerona, Cuba2001-11-04 18:00140 mph / 220 km/h
Michelle 2001Jagüey Grande, Cuba2001-11-04 23:00130 mph / 215 km/h
Michelle 2001San Andros, Bahamas2001-11-05 12:0090 mph / 150 km/h
Michelle 2001Nassau, Bahamas2001-11-05 18:0085 mph / 140 km/h

Why was the storm named Michelle?

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 2001, Michelle was the 13th name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Michelle

When was the last time a storm was named Michelle?

The most recent was Hurricane Michelle in 2001, in the Atlantic. It formed on October 29, peaked at 140 mph (220 km/h) and lasted 8 days. It made landfall near Nueva Gerona, Cuba. It was the 13th name used in that Atlantic season. It is the only storm named Michelle in our archive, which covers every ocean since 1980.