The Met Office has officially pulled back the curtain on its list of names for the upcoming storm season, ready to designate the most powerful weather systems set to batter the UK and Ireland.
This year's roster features a fresh batch of monikers, from Storm Agnes to Storm Wendy, each chosen to help the public quickly understand and respond to severe weather warnings. The naming initiative, a collaboration between the Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI, is designed to improve communication and ensure safety.
What's in a Name? The 2024-25 Storm Roster
The full list of names for the upcoming season is:
- Agnes
- Babet
- Ciarán
- Debi
- Elin
- Fergus
- Gerrit
- Henk
- Isha
- Jocelyn
- Kathleen
- Lilian
- Minnie
- Nicholas
- Olga
- Piet
- Regina
- Stuart
- Tamiko
- Vincent
- Walid
Noticeably absent are names beginning with Q, U, X, Y, and Z, following international naming conventions to maintain consistency.
Why Do We Name Storms?
Since the pilot project began in 2015, the practice of naming storms has proven highly effective. A storm is named when it is deemed capable of causing substantial disruption or damage, triggering Amber or Red weather warnings for wind, rain, or snow.
"Naming storms helps to streamline communication," explained a Met Office spokesperson. "A single, authoritative name makes it far easier for people to follow the progress of a major weather system across news and social media, which is crucial for helping the public stay informed and safe during potentially dangerous conditions."
The names are drawn from a public suggestion pool and also include names submitted by partners who work to support people during severe weather. This year, the name Stuart was submitted by the RNLI, highlighting the vital role of lifeboat crews during stormy seas.
Reflecting on a Record-Breaking Season
The previous season was one for the record books, with an unprecedented 11 named storms, including the destructive Storm Babet and the late-season Storm Jocelyn. This underscores the increasing volatility and frequency of extreme weather events, making clear and early communication more important than ever.
As we look ahead to the autumn and winter, the list is now locked and loaded. The first storm to meet the criteria will take the name Storm Agnes. The question is no longer if, but when the first name will be used.
