No, Tropical Storm Dolly was not named for Dolly Parton. The storm formed Thursday in the Atlantic, just two days after the death of the country music icon at age 80 — but forecasters say the timing is pure coincidence.
Ms. Parton’s death has dominated headlines and social media this week, with fans and fellow artists mourning the six-decade career that gave the world “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” Her death has made the storm’s name feel especially pointed, even though it isn’t connected to her at all.
The name “Dolly” was chosen 30 years ago, long before Ms. Parton’s death. Storm names come from rotating lists set by an international committee under the World Meteorological Organization. The National Hurricane Center said there are no plans to skip or change the name, even with her death so fresh.
“Dolly” has been on the Atlantic list since 1996, replacing “Diana,” a name retired after a deadly 1990 hurricane in Mexico.
The storm was far out in the Atlantic on Thursday, the fourth named storm of the 2026 hurricane season, expected to bring heavy rain to the Caribbean this weekend.
Read more:
• Dolly Parton, country music icon, dead at 80
• Experts note an ’astounding coincidence’ after Dolly Parton’s death
• Tropical Storm Dolly forms in the Atlantic and could bring heavy rain to portions of the Caribbean
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