Full Breakdown
New Storm Names for 2025-26 Season Announced
9/2/2025, 12:52:13 AM
Overview of the Storm Naming Initiative
The Met Office, in collaboration with Ireland's Met Éireann and the Netherlands' KNMI, has unveiled the list of storm names for the 2025-26 season, which runs from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the storm naming initiative, which began in 2015 to enhance public awareness and preparedness for severe weather events. The initiative has seen a significant public engagement, with over 50,000 name suggestions submitted this year alone.
Selected Storm Names
The final list includes 21 names, with each meteorological service contributing seven names. The names selected by Met Éireann are Bram, Fionnuala, Gerard, Kasia, Marty, Patrick, and Tadhg. The full list is as follows:
- Amy (UK)
- Bram (Ireland)
- Chandra (Netherlands)
- Dave (UK)
- Eddie (Netherlands)
- Fionnuala (Ireland)
- Gerard (Ireland)
- Hannah (Netherlands)
- Isla (UK)
- Janna (Netherlands)
- Kasia (Ireland)
- Lilith (Netherlands)
- Marty (Ireland)
- Nico (Netherlands)
- Oscar (UK)
- Patrick (Ireland)
- Ruby (UK)
- Stevie (UK)
- Tadhg (Ireland)
- Violet (UK)
- Wubbo (Netherlands)
Significance of Naming Storms
Naming storms serves a critical purpose in public safety. According to Rebekah Hicks, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, "Naming storms isn’t just about giving them a label; it’s about making sure people take notice." The initiative has proven effective, as surveys following Storm Floris indicated that 93% of people in amber warning areas were aware of the alerts, with 83% taking action to prepare.
Eoin Sherlock, Head of Forecasting Division at Met Éireann, emphasized the importance of public involvement in the naming process, stating, "There were many personal stories of friends, family, loved ones, and pets, as well as many suggestions honouring our history, culture, and literature."
Background and Context
The storm naming system was established to facilitate clear communication regarding severe weather, allowing the public to better prepare for potential impacts. Storms are named when they are expected to cause medium or high impacts, primarily focusing on wind speed, but also considering rain and snow.
Public Engagement and Stories Behind the Names
This year's names reflect a mix of personal tributes and cultural significance. For instance, Bram honors Bram Stoker, the Irish author of Dracula, while Tadhg was nominated by a grandmother who described him as "a real force of nature." The name Kasia was chosen to recognize the diverse nationalities living in Ireland.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 storm naming initiative not only commemorates a decade of public engagement but also reinforces the importance of preparedness in the face of severe weather. As the storm season begins, authorities encourage communities to stay informed and ready for potential impacts, echoing the government’s advice to "Be Winter Ready."
