2006 Hurricane and Tropical Storm Names

We'll be very familiar with several of these between now and November. Here are the names for the 2006 Atlantic hurricanes and tropical storms:

Alberto
Beryl
Chris
Debby
Ernesto
Florence
Gordon
Helene
Isaac
Joyce
Kirk
Leslie
Michael
Nadine
Oscar
Patty
Rafael
Sandy
Tony
Valerie
William

Naming factoids:

1. The National Hurricane Center produces the list.

2. Q and U names aren't used.

3. The list repeats every six years.

4. However, names of the worst hurricanes are retired for at least 10 years. For example, 2005 hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma are all off the list for the next decade -- and I suspect Katrina is gone for good.