**Met Office Invites Public to Name UK’s Winter Storms: Have Your Say**
In a move designed to boost public engagement and safety, the Met Office is calling on people across the United Kingdom to take part in selecting names for the storms that are expected to hit the country during the forthcoming winter. This collaborative effort offers individuals a unique chance to see the name of a friend, relative, or even a beloved pet immortalised in weather history.
The tradition of naming storms has become a familiar aspect of the UK’s approach to communicating hazardous weather. According to leading meteorological experts, assigning recognisable names to major storms helps increase public awareness during periods of severe wind, rain, or snow, ensuring vital information reaches everyone swiftly and effectively.
As it stands, five storms have already received names during the 2024/25 storm season. The most recent was Storm Eowyn, which battered UK shores on January 21. Each storm name is carefully chosen to avoid confusion or controversy. Considerations include ease of pronunciation, cultural meanings in Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands, and the intention to avoid names that could create sensitivity or controversy.
This year, the Met Office is collaborating closely with its counterparts at Met Éireann in Ireland and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) to develop a list of names that reflect the shared cultural diversity of all three nations. This international approach underlines the cross-border nature of storms and the importance of unified public messaging.
Will Lang, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, emphasised the scheme’s significance, stating, “We all remember the impactful storm names of recent years—whether it’s Eunice, Franklin, Bert or another major event. Naming storms has demonstrably helped the news media, emergency services, and public communicate and prepare for hazardous weather conditions.” He continued, “Now, we’re reaching out and asking for your ideas to create this year’s new list. Whether you want to honour a weather enthusiast in your life, pay tribute to a late loved one, or simply see your friend’s name on the news, this is your opportunity to contribute.”
Mr Lang also highlighted the success of the system. He pointed out that, following the powerful Storm Eowyn, surveys showed that 99% of people living in the highest warning zone were aware of the impending storm, with almost 90% of those taking steps to ensure their safety. This high level of public engagement is credited in large part to the recognisable naming process, which he says “truly works” as a communication tool.
The process for submitting names is open and accessible. The public can propose suitable names, which should start with every letter of the alphabet except Q, U, X, Y, and Z, for ease of international collaboration and clarity. Those wishing to propose a name can visit the Met Office’s website and, if they wish, supply an explanation or reason for their choice.
After gathering suggestions throughout the summer, the Met Office will announce next year’s storm name shortlist in September. This annual announcement is awaited with interest not just by weather enthusiasts, but also by the many whose suggestions might be chosen.
For anyone interested in submitting a storm name—be it after a person who has had a significant impact on their life, a much-loved animal companion, or simply a name they feel deserves recognition—submissions can be made online via the Met Office’s dedicated form at [www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/name-our-storms-call-for-names](https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/forms/name-our-storms-call-for-names).
This inclusive approach not only makes weather warnings more memorable, but also reflects the public’s stake in preparing for and responding to severe weather. In a country where the weather is never far from conversation, the act of naming storms helps communities come together, recognise the potential dangers, and heed official warnings more effectively. As the next storm season approaches, all eyes will be on the new names that make the list—perhaps yours among them.