Shaun the Sheep joins storm names for 2026/27 as full list revealed

Austen, Boelo and Chloe are the first names set to appear in severe-weather forecasts under the new 2026/27 storm list — with Shaun the Sheep also joining the line-up following a public vote.

The names will be used by the Met Office and its Irish and Dutch counterparts for storms with the potential to cause significant disruption, helping people across Northern Ireland and neighbouring countries recognise approaching severe weather and prepare.

This year’s choices include tributes to a five-year-old weather enthusiast, a much-loved Labrador puppy and pioneers of Irish weather forecasting. More than 40,000 names were submitted to the Met Office by the public last year.

When will a storm get a name?

Not every spell of bad weather will become a named storm. Names are used when a storm has the potential to cause medium or high impacts in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands — typically when an amber or red warning is expected at some point during the event.

Strong winds remain the main consideration, but significant impacts from rain or snow can also lead to a storm being named.

For readers in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland, the practical distinction is that a storm name helps identify the weather system; local warnings explain the expected impacts in their area.

Met Office Head of Warnings and Guidance Holly Clements said: “For more than a decade, storm naming has helped us communicate the risks from severe weather more effectively. A named storm provides a clear focus for forecasts and warnings, helping more people understand the potential impacts and take action to protect themselves, their families and their property.”

Family tributes, a weather-loving child and a destructive puppy

Chloe received more than 130 nominations, including one from the mother of a five-year-old who is “fascinated by the weather” and can “create a storm by herself” when tired.

Finn was suggested for a two-year-old boy described by his family as “wild and a force to be reckoned with”, while Ivy honours a nine-month-old Labrador puppy affectionately known as “the absolute destructor”.

Nicola was nominated in tribute to a mother who has “weathered many a storm and only come out stronger”. Theo was inspired by a cat who would hide before thunderstorms, prompting his owner to joke that he could predict the weather.

Shaun’s place on the list follows a public vote held through a collaboration between the Met Office and Aardman, using Shaun the Sheep to help explain storm naming and weather warnings to new audiences.

Irish forecasting pioneers recognised

Met Éireann has used its selections to mark the 90th anniversary of the Irish Meteorological Service, recognising people who contributed to its history.

Austen honours Austen Nagle, the service’s first director, while Evelyn recognises Evelyn Murphy, the first woman to present the weather on RTÉ.

The Dutch national meteorological service, KNMI, drew its choices from more than 3,000 public suggestions. They include Boelo, a nearly extinct name from East Groningen which has been passed down through the nominator’s family for generations.

The full 2026/27 storm names list

The 21 names below are listed in order, with pronunciations where supplied. The three weather services jointly agree the final list.

• 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

As in previous years, certain letters are excluded to align with international storm-naming conventions.

Before names are selected, the services consider pronunciation, meanings across the participating countries, connections to significant public figures and whether a choice could be controversial.

Does naming storms help people prepare?

The scheme began in 2015 and is now entering its twelfth year. Its purpose is to make severe-weather information easier to recognise before dangerous conditions arrive.

According to post-event survey findings cited by the Met Office, 93% of people within the amber warning area for Storm Goretti in January 2026 were aware of the warnings. Of those, 88% took action, including staying indoors, avoiding driving and shopping earlier.

The Western Europe storm-naming group named four storms during the 2025/26 season, reaching Storm Dave in April. The UK also experienced impacts from Storm Benjamin, Storm Claudia and Storm Goretti, which were named by other European groups.

The new list is not a forecast of 21 storms, nor does a named storm necessarily mean severe conditions everywhere. For households planning journeys or outdoor activities, the key is to check the forecast and warnings for their own location whenever severe weather is expected.