The Met Office, in collaboration with its partners, has unveiled the storm naming list for the 2026/27 season, featuring a delightful mix of personal tributes and cultural references, including the beloved character Shaun the Sheep. This year’s selection reflects the creativity and sentiment of the public, who submitted over 40,000 names last year, illustrating the personal stories that inspire these choices.
Now in its twelfth year, the storm-naming initiative has been instrumental in conveying the risks associated with severe weather since its launch in 2015. By providing a clear and consistent framework for forecasts and warnings, the scheme has significantly improved public awareness and preparedness in the face of adverse weather conditions.
Personal Stories Behind the Names
The first three names on this year’s list are Austen, Boelo, and Chloe. Chloe, nominated over 130 times, was suggested by the mother of a five-year-old weather enthusiast who is not only captivated by meteorology but also known for her imaginative ability to “create a storm” when tired.
Other notable names include Finn, described by his family as “wild and a force to be reckoned with,” and Ivy, a tribute to a nine-month-old Labrador puppy playfully dubbed “the absolute destructor.” Nicola, meanwhile, honours a mother who has faced numerous challenges yet emerged stronger, while Theo commemorates a cat known for hiding before thunderstorms, amusingly suggesting he could predict the weather.
In addition to these personal stories, the list celebrates meteorological heritage. Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service, included names honouring historical figures such as Austen Nagle, its first director, and Evelyn Murphy, the first woman to present weather on RTÉ.
Shaun the Sheep Joins the Line-Up
Among the most recognisable names this season is Shaun, selected through a public vote in a collaboration with Aardman Animations. This initiative aimed to blend the Met Office’s renowned forecasting capabilities with Aardman’s storytelling excellence, fostering a better understanding of storm naming and its significance in community safety. The collaboration seeks to engage wider audiences and stimulate discussions about preparedness for severe weather.
Research supports the effectiveness of storm naming in enhancing public awareness. Following Storm Goretti in January 2026, surveys revealed that 93% of individuals within the amber warning area were aware of the alerts, with 88% taking preventative measures, such as staying indoors or adjusting travel plans.
Overview of the 2026/27 Storm Names
The complete list of storm names, along with their pronunciations and the nominators, includes:
- Austen (Met Éireann)
- Boelo (Boo-loh) (KNMI)
- Chloe (Met Office)
- Dano (Dah-noh) (KNMI)
- Evelyn (Met Éireann)
- Finn (Met Office)
- Gwendolyn (Gwen-duh-lin) (KNMI)
- Heather (Met Éireann)
- Ivy (Met Office)
- Jade (KNMI)
- Kilian (Met Éireann)
- Laoise (Lee-sha) (Met Éireann)
- Miriam (Met Éireann)
- Nicola (Met Office)
- Olaf (KNMI)
- Phelim (Fay-lim) (Met Éireann)
- Ruban (Met Office)
- Shaun (Met Office)
- Theo (Met Office)
- Vesna (Vehs-nuh) (KNMI)
- Wende (Vhen-duh) (KNMI)
This year’s list comprises 21 names, deliberately omitting certain letters to adhere to international storm-naming conventions. The selection process involves collaboration between the Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI, ensuring the names reflect the diverse communities across the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands.
Criteria for Storm Naming
Names are chosen based on several criteria, including ease of pronunciation, potential for different meanings across countries, connections to significant public figures, and any possibility of controversy. Storm names are assigned when there is a likelihood of medium to high impacts in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, typically associated with amber or red weather warnings. While strong winds are a primary concern, storms may also be named when substantial impacts from rain or snow are anticipated.
Eoin Sherlock, Head of the Forecasting Division at Met Éireann, highlighted the benefits of storm naming in enabling the public to track essential forecast and safety information effectively. With the year 2026 marking the 90th anniversary of the Irish Meteorological Service, the inclusion of names recognising historical contributors underscores the significance of this initiative.
Reflecting on the Previous Storm Season
In the 2025/26 season, the Western Europe storm naming group designated four storms, culminating in the letter ‘D’ with Storm Dave in April 2026. The UK also faced impacts from storms named by other European meteorological organisations, such as Storm Benjamin and Storm Claudia.
Storm seasons can fluctuate significantly from year to year, with some characterised by fewer named storms, while others, like the record-breaking 2023/24 season, witness an extraordinary number of events.
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