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Next Atlantic storm to be named Dolly after Dolly Parton's death
USA Today • • nation
Key Points:
- The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a tropical wave in the Atlantic that could become the fourth-named storm of the 2026 hurricane season, with the pre-determined name "Dolly," unrelated to Dolly Parton's death on August 25.
- The name "Dolly" was selected 30 years ago to replace "Diana" and has been used for storms three times during Parton's lifetime, most recently in 2020; the naming follows a strict international procedure by the World Meteorological Organization.
- Storm names in the Atlantic are drawn from six rotating alphabetical lists maintained by an international committee, with names retired if storms are notably severe, and replacements chosen to be short and easy to pronounce but not after individuals.
- Dolly Parton has previously contributed to disaster relief efforts, including a $1 million donation following Hurricane Helene in 2024, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to aiding communities affected by natural disasters.
