The upcoming storm season has been announced by the Met Office, revealing a list of 21 storm names for the period from 2025 to 2026. Among the selected names are Bram, inspired by Bram Stoker, and Wubbo, honoring Wubbo Ockels, the first Dutch man in space. It is noted that the less frequently used names may only be utilized during particularly stormy years.
Storm activity typically begins in September and extends through the following August. This year, Storm Floris marked the onset, reaching only the letter “F” in the naming sequence. In contrast, the previous 2023/24 season experienced a higher number of storms, totaling 12 named storms.
The naming of UK storms is a collaborative effort involving the Irish (Met Éireann) and Dutch (KNMI) weather services, with names suggested by the public through a voting process. Notably, storm names follow an alphabetical order, excluding letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z, in line with the US National Hurricane Centre’s practice for consistency across the Atlantic.
Criteria for naming storms include the potential for medium to high damage to the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, mainly driven by wind but also influenced by rain and snow. The naming process aids in effectively communicating storm warnings to the public, facilitating preparedness and safety measures.
Rebekah Hicks, the chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasized the importance of naming storms in enhancing public awareness, preparedness, and safety measures. Naming storms has proven to be a valuable tool in saving lives and ensuring community safety during severe weather events.