Climate specialists within the UK, Eire and the Netherlands have introduced the brand new record of names for the 2025/26 ‘storm season’, which begins at this time and runs till 31 August 2026, simply weeks after Storm Floris.
Of the list of 21 names, each of the national partners contributed seven, with some names chosen from pubic submissions. The Met Office takes suggestions through an online form.
Here’s what you need to know.
What are the storm names for 2025/26?
Top of this year’s list are Amy, Bram and Chandra. The rest of the names are below.
The 2025/26 storm names
Met Office
The UK’s most recent storm, Storm Floris, was the sixth names from last season’s list.
The name Floris is of Dutch origin and is also used a variant of the French name Florence.
Floris comes from the Latin word florens, meaning to “prosper” or “flourish”. The County of Holland had five powerful monarchs who also went by the name Floris.
Why are there no storms named with the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z?
Only 21 letters in the alphabet are included in the list of storm names as it is challenging to come up with six appropriate names (one for each of the six rotating lists), beginning with Q, U, X, Y, and Z.
You will never see your name on the list of storms in case your identify begins with these letters.
How are storm names chosen?
A collaboration between the Met Workplace, Met Éireann (the Irish meteorological service), and KNMI (the Dutch meteorological service) names storms within the UK. This naming course of is designed to make the general public extra conscious of extreme climate occasions and to make sure that folks take obligatory precautions when such storms are forecasted.
Every service has chosen seven names on the alphabetical record (excluding the letters q, u, x, y and z).
Annually, the UK Met Workplace, in collaboration with Met Éireann and KNMI, releases an inventory of names for the upcoming storm season. The names are chosen alphabetically, alternating between female and male names.
A storm is called when it’s anticipated to have a big affect, notably whether it is forecasted to carry robust winds, heavy rain, or snow that would trigger substantial harm or pose a danger to life.
The choice to call a storm is predicated on the potential for an amber or crimson warning (excessive or very excessive affect) to be issued.
The Met Workplace and Met Éireann launched their first “Identify our Storms” marketing campaign in 2015. The custom of naming storms started within the US in 1950 to assist folks “have interaction with climate forecasts”.
Met Éireann in April 2024 named Storm Kathleen after two Irish scientists, Kathleen McNulty and Kathleen Lonsdale.
You possibly can be taught extra concerning the storm naming course of here.
Specialists say storms are named to boost communication and public security. A particular identify makes it simpler for folks to recollect and talk about a storm, decreasing confusion, particularly when a number of storms are lively concurrently.
This readability helps constantly disseminate warnings and ensures that media, authorities companies, and the general public all discuss with the identical occasion.
Moreover, naming storms will increase public consciousness and urgency, prompting folks to take obligatory precautions. A named storm tends to obtain extra media protection, serving to to unfold vital security info. Total, the apply simplifies communication, improves preparedness, and aids within the efficient coordination of emergency responses.
Rebekah Hicks, Chief Meteorologist on the UK Met Workplace mentioned: “Naming storms isn’t nearly giving them a label, it’s about ensuring folks take discover. When a storm has a reputation, it turns into simpler for the media and public to speak about it, share info, and put together.
