The Met Office has been inundated with a deluge of creative and comical storm name suggestions from the public, with entries such as Storm Prince Andrew, Elon Gust, and Keir Stormer topping the list. Over 50,000 names were submitted for the 2025/26 season, showcasing a mix of humour and environmental activism, though officials emphasise that safety remains the paramount concern in the naming process.
Public Engagement in Storm Naming
Since launching its public submission scheme in 2015, the Met Office has encouraged widespread participation in naming storms, with around 20 names selected annually in collaboration with Met Éireann and KNMI. This year, the agencies received a staggering number of suggestions, highlighting the public's enthusiasm for meteorological matters. A spokesperson noted that while the humorous names are entertaining, they cannot be used officially due to the critical safety role storm names play in raising awareness and preparedness.
Notable and Humorous Suggestions
Among the thousands of submissions, several standout names have captured attention. These include Bruce Spring Storm, David Blowy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Stormzy, and Storm-y Daniels, reflecting a blend of pop culture and current affairs. Additionally, playful entries like Stormy McStormFace, Blowy McBlowFace, and Rainy McRainFace echo past internet memes, adding a light-hearted touch to the serious business of weather forecasting.
Environmental concerns also featured prominently, with over 600 suggestions targeting oil companies. Names such as BPocalypse, Shell-shocked, Exxonstentialthreat, and Emissions Impossible demonstrate public engagement with climate issues, though these too are unlikely to make the final cut due to the need for neutral and memorable names that aid in public safety communications.
The Official Storm Name List
For the 2025/26 season, the Met Office and its partners have selected 21 official names: Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet, and Wubbo. This list runs from early September to late August, aligning with the autumn-to-summer storm season. The selection process balances popular nominations with meaningful associations, such as honouring emergency responders or personal stories, like a snoring husband or an energetic child.
Safety and Awareness Priorities
Storms are named in collaboration with Irish and Dutch meteorological services, with names assigned when medium or high impacts are forecast. The Met Office stresses that naming storms is a proven strategy to enhance public awareness and safety, making it essential that names are memorable and effective in communication. While the public's creative input is valued, the final choices must serve this serious purpose, avoiding comedy or controversial references that could detract from the message.
Other quirky suggestions revealed through a freedom of information request include Storm Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, Hail Yeah, About Time We Need Some Rain, and Fifty Shades of Rain. These entries, though amusing, underscore the diverse and imaginative ways people engage with weather phenomena, even as the Met Office maintains its focus on practical and safety-oriented naming conventions.
