Cindy and Philippe may not sound very scary, but a hurricane by any name is still just as dangerous. June marks the start of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has a list of names already picked out. The NHC has several lists that it keeps on rotation, and the names of incredibly destructive storms, like Katrina and Rita, are retired.

2011 Atlantic Hurricane Names

Forecasters are predicting an active season this year with three to six major hurricanes. Scientists are also finding links between global climate change and stronger hurricanes with heavier rainfalls. In addtion to rain and power storms, rising sea levels associated with climate change are also placing coastal communities at increased risk. Visit the National Wildlife Federation’s global warming page to find out more about the impacts of climate change on weather.