1978 Atlantic hurricane season (SDTWFC What Could Have Been)

The 1978 Atlantic hurricane season (SDTWFC What Might Have Been) features what the SDTWFC thought storms would do upon formation. The season was well average in terms of named storms, with 24 depressions and 22 named storms. Despite the high activity, a relatively low 10 hurricanes formed, and an even lower 4 major hurricanes. The season also featured Orpha - the basin's strongest storm ever at the time.

Tropical Storm Anya
(Previously Subtropical Storm One)

Tropical Storm Brittany
(Previously Tropical Depression Two)

Hurricane Carol
(Previously Tropical Depression Three)

Tropical Depression Four
(Previously Tropical Storm Amelia)

Hurricane Dolly
(Previously Tropical Storm Bess)

Hurricane Esther
(Previously Hurricane Cora)

Tropical Storm Francisco
(Previously Tropical Depression Seven)

Tropical Storm Gloria
(Previously Tropical Depression Eight)

Hurricane Hazel
(Previously Tropical Storm Debra)

Hurricane Irene
(Previously Hurricane Ella)

Tropical Storm Jewel
(Previously Tropical Depression Eleven)

Tropical Storm Kayla
(Previously Tropical Depression Twelve)

Hurricane Lucy
(Previously Hurricane Flossie)

Tropical Storm Mabel
(Previously Tropical Depression Fourteen)

Hurricane Nancy
(Previously Tropical Storm Hope)

Hurricane Orpha
(Previously Hurricane Greta)

Hurricane Parker
(Previously Tropical Depression Seventeen)

Tropical Storm Rachel
(Previously Tropical Depression Eighteen)

Tropical Depression Nineteen
(Previously Tropical Storm Irma)

Tropical Storm Susie
(Previously Tropical Storm Juliet)

Tropical Storm Tina
(Previously Tropical Depression Twenty-One)

Hurricane Vicky
(Previously Tropical Depression Twenty-Two)

Tropical Storm Wallis
(Previously Hurricane Kendra)

Tropical Storm Alpha
(Previously Tropical Depression Twenty-Four)

Storm Names
This was the same list used in the 1972 season, with the exceptions of Anya and Parker, which replaced Alice and Patsy. Names not retired will be used again in the 1978 season. Names not used are marked in italics.

Retirement
The SDTWFC retired the names Lucy and Orpha due to the damage and deaths they caused. They will be replaced with Luke and Octavia for the 1984 season.