The Met Office has officially lifted the lid on its highly anticipated list of storm names for the 2023-24 season, and one moniker in particular is already causing a stir among the British public: Storm Dave.
This annual initiative, run in conjunction with Irish forecasters Met Éireann and the Dutch KNMI, aims to improve communication of severe weather events to the public. The names alternate between male and female, and this year's list ranges from Agnes to Wouter.
What's in a Name? The Story Behind 'Storm Dave'
The inclusion of the decidedly ordinary 'Dave' has captured the nation's imagination, sparking a wave of humorous comments and memes across social media. The name was submitted by a member of the public as part of the annual naming campaign, proving that even the most common names can earn a place in meteorological history.
Each year, thousands of suggestions are sent in, and the final selection is chosen to be a mix of common names from across the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands, reflecting the diversity of the three forecasting partners.
The Full Roster of Potential Storms
The full list of names for the 2023-24 season is as follows:
- Agnes
- Babet
- Ciarán
- Debi
- Elin
- Fergus
- Gerrit
- Henk
- Isha
- Jocelyn
- Kathleen
- Lilian
- Minnie
- Nicholas
- Olga
- Piet
- Regina
- Stuart
- Tamiko
- Vincent
- Walid
A storm is named when it is deemed to have the potential to cause 'medium' or 'high' impacts from wind, rain, or snow, triggering an Amber or Red warning from the Met Office.
Why Do We Name Storms?
Since the naming convention was introduced in 2015, its primary goal has been to raise public awareness and ensure consistency in messaging across different media platforms. A named storm helps to streamline weather warnings, making it easier for the public to stay informed and, most importantly, take the necessary steps to stay safe during periods of severe weather.
The coming months will reveal which of these names will be etched into the UK's weather records, and whether the somewhat unassuming 'Storm Dave' will live up to its formidable title.
