Storms named Noel (retired)

Noel is a retired Atlantic hurricane name. The World Meteorological Organization took it off the lists after the 2007 storm, so no future Atlantic storm will be called Noel. Its place on the list now belongs to Nestor, on the 2031 list. Since 1995, three storms have been named Noel; the strongest, in 2007, peaked as a Category 1 hurricane.

Times used

1995–2007

Strongest

2007 · Cat 1

965 mb

Most recent

2007

Atlantic

Retired

After 2007

Slot now: Nestor (2031 list)

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200720011995Tracks: IBTrACS / NHC

Has the name Noel been retired?

Yes. Noel is on NHC’s list of retired Atlantic names because of the 2007 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 Noel be used again?

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

Every storm named Noel, newest first

Hurricane Noel (2007)

Dates: October 24, 2007 to November 6, 2007 (13 days)
Peak wind: 80 mph / 130 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 965 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 14th name of 2007

Noel formed in the Atlantic in October 2007 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It made 4 landfalls, first near Jacmel, Haiti and last near Nassau, Bahamas. The system was tracked for 13 days.

Hurricane Noel (2007): track and history

Hurricane Noel (2001)

Dates: November 4, 2001 to November 6, 2001 (3 days)
Peak wind: 75 mph / 120 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 986 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 14th name of 2001

Noel formed in the Atlantic in November 2001 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 986 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 3 days.

Hurricane Noel (2001): track and history

Hurricane Noel (1995)

Dates: September 26, 1995 to October 7, 1995 (11 days)
Peak wind: 75 mph / 120 km/h · Category 1
Lowest pressure: 987 mb
Ocean: Atlantic
Order in season: 14th name of 1995

Noel formed in the Atlantic in September 1995 and peaked as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 987 mb. It did not make landfall. The system was tracked for 11 days.

Hurricane Noel (1995): track and history

Where storms named Noel made landfall

Storm	Landfall near	Date (UTC)	Wind
Noel 2007	Jacmel, Haiti	2007-10-29 07:00	50 mph / 85 km/h
Noel 2007	Banes, Cuba	2007-10-30 06:00	60 mph / 95 km/h
Noel 2007	San Andros, Bahamas	2007-11-01 13:15	60 mph / 95 km/h
Noel 2007	Nassau, Bahamas	2007-11-01 17:45	65 mph / 100 km/h

Why was the storm named Noel?

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 2007, 2001 and 1995, Noel was the 14th name used in the Atlantic season.

Questions about the name Noel

When was the last time a storm was named Noel?

The most recent was Hurricane Noel in 2007, in the Atlantic. It formed on October 24, peaked at 80 mph (130 km/h) and lasted 13 days. It made landfall near Jacmel, Haiti. It was the 14th name used in that Atlantic season. Before that, the name was used in 2001 and 1995.

What was the strongest storm named Noel?

Hurricane Noel in 2007 was the strongest, peaking as a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 965 mb. It formed in the Atlantic in October and made landfall near Jacmel, Haiti. The weakest of the three, in 2001, peaked at 75 mph (120 km/h).