Storm Amy leads list of UK storm names chosen by the public for 2025/26

The Met Office, alongside Met Éireann and the Dutch weather service KNMI, has unveiled the official list of storm names for the 2025/26 season – and this year, every name has been chosen by the public.

From Cornwall to County Down, Ireland to the Netherlands, more than 50,000 suggestions were submitted. The final list reflects not only popular choices, but also deeply personal stories of loved ones, pets, and everyday heroes.

The first three storms of the season will be named Amy, Bram and Chandra, with Amy proving the most popular female name submitted to the Met Office.

One family explained their choice:

“[My family] love being outside, whether in the garden or walking/cycling/scooting to school or the park. So the first thing we do each morning with breakfast is to check what the weather forecast is for the day.”

Other names on the list carry equally heartfelt stories. “Dave” was nominated as “my beloved husband who can snore three times louder than any storm!” while “Isla” was inspired by “little girls who leave chaos in their wake.” Violet was chosen in tribute to a daughter born prematurely who proved “every bit as fierce and unstoppable as a storm.”

Pets were also remembered in the submissions. Oscar the cat was described as “a good boy, but crazy when he gets the zoomies,” while another Oscar was fondly recalled for “loving the wind in his fur – he’d sit in the garden for ages just enjoying it.”

“It’s about making people take notice”

While the stories behind the names may raise a smile, the Met Office stressed the serious purpose of naming storms. Rebekah Hicks, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained:

“Naming storms isn’t just about giving them a label, it’s about making sure people take notice. When a storm has a name, it becomes easier for the media and public to talk about it, share information, and prepare. It’s a simple step that can make a big difference in helping communities stay safe, protect their homes, and make informed decisions ahead of severe weather.”

She highlighted that for Storm Floris earlier this year, surveys found that 93% of people in the amber warning area were aware of alerts, with 83% taking action to prepare.

“Over the past decade, we’ve seen how naming storms helps raise awareness and ultimately, helps save lives,” she added.

A collaborative effort across three nations

The list of names was drawn from public submissions across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands, with care taken to ensure names were pronounceable, culturally appropriate and non-controversial.

Eoin Sherlock, Head of Forecasting Division at Met Éireann, said:

“Naming storms is a powerful tool that supports us and other public safety organisations to increase awareness of severe and impactful weather alongside our weather warnings. Even though the process of selecting the names was a fun and light-hearted task, ultimately, advising the public of the importance of being prepared for the upcoming storm season, and communicating safety messages for every forecast storm are our highest priorities.”

Storm names for 2025/26 in full

Amy (Met Office), Bram (Met Éireann), Chandra (KNMI), Dave (Met Office), Eddie (KNMI), Fionnuala (Met Éireann), Gerard (Met Éireann), Hannah (KNMI), Isla (Met Office), Janna (KNMI), Kasia (Met Éireann), Lilith (KNMI), Marty (Met Éireann), Nico (KNMI), Oscar (Met Office), Patrick (Met Éireann), Ruby (Met Office), Stevie (Met Office), Tadhg (Met Éireann), Violet (Met Office), Wubbo (KNMI).

Looking back and ahead

The 2024/25 season saw just six storms named, ending with Storm Floris on 1 August 2025. Storm frequency can vary greatly – the record-breaking 2023/24 season brought 12 named storms, while other years remain relatively quiet.

The 2025/26 list will cover storms from September 2025 through to late August 2026, coinciding with the autumn-to-summer period when storm risk is highest.

For more on how storms are named, visit the UK Storm Centre.