What's happened
The Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI have revealed the storm names for 2025-26, chosen from over 50,000 public suggestions. Amy, Bram, and Chandra will be the first storms, with names reflecting personal stories and public contributions. Naming aims to improve safety and awareness amid changing weather patterns.
What's behind the headline?
The storm naming system, adopted in 2015, serves as a strategic tool to boost public safety and preparedness. By choosing names that resonate personally—such as those honoring loved ones or pets—the process fosters emotional engagement and better recall of warnings. The public's involvement, with over 50,000 suggestions, underscores a shift towards participatory meteorology, which enhances trust and compliance. The focus on impact potential, primarily wind speed but also heavy rain and snow, ensures that the most threatening storms are highlighted. As climate change accelerates weather extremes, this naming convention will become even more vital for effective communication. The recent record of six storms in the 2024-25 season, including Storm Floris, illustrates a trend towards more frequent impactful storms, emphasizing the importance of this system for future resilience.
What the papers say
The Scotsman highlights the public-driven process behind the storm names, emphasizing the emotional and community aspect of the naming choices. The Guardian provides context on the impact of climate change on storm frequency and severity, noting that the climate crisis is shifting weather patterns and increasing flooding risks. Both sources agree on the importance of storm naming for safety, but The Scotsman focuses more on the process and stories behind the names, while The Guardian emphasizes the broader climate implications and the increasing need for effective communication. The articles collectively demonstrate that storm naming is both a practical safety measure and a reflection of societal engagement with climate challenges.
How we got here
Storm naming began in 2015 as a collaborative effort between UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands to enhance public awareness of severe weather. The process involves selecting names based on impact potential, with public suggestions influencing the list. The climate crisis is intensifying weather extremes, making storm naming increasingly relevant for safety.
Go deeper
Common question
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How Are Storm Names Chosen in Europe and the UK?
Storm naming has become an important part of weather safety in Europe and the UK. With storms becoming more intense due to climate change, understanding how these names are selected can help you stay informed and prepared. Curious about the process behind storm names, their significance, and how they impact safety? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about storm naming for 2025-26.
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Are Recent Weather Events Linked to Climate Change?
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense in 2025, many wonder if climate change is the main driver. From worsening wildfires in Europe and Russia to record-breaking heatwaves, the patterns are alarming. This page explores the connection between recent weather phenomena and global warming, helping you understand what's really behind these extreme events and what to expect moving forward.
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The Meteorological Office, abbreviated as the Met Office is the United Kingdom's national weather service. It is an executive agency and trading fund of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy led by CEO Penelope Endersby, who took on