Bye Alpha, Eta: Greek alphabet ditched for hurricane names SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer March 17, 2021 FacebookTwitterEmail 3 1of3FILE - This Wednesday, May 27, 2020 satellite image made available by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Tropical Storm Bertha approaching the South Carolina coast. On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, a World Meteorological Organization committee plans to discuss whether the Atlantic hurricane season should start on May 15 instead of the traditional June 1. (NOAA via AP)APShow MoreShow Less 2of3FILE - This Oct. 31, 2012 file photo shows destroyed homes left in the wake of Superstorm Sandy in Ortley Beach, N.J. Calling storms hurricanes or in some cases extratropical cyclones _ when a system has a cold core instead _ is a problem because weaker storms can kill with water not wind. People including some officials started to ignore or downplay 2012’s Sandy because it wasn’t a hurricane and lost its tropical characteristic.Mike Groll/APShow MoreShow Less