The Met Office has released a complete list of named storms expected to batter Britain over the next year.
We’re no stranger to devastating storms, with several downpours over the past year causing widespread distress. Last year was the worst for storms since the Met Office’s naming system was launched in 2015.
A dozen adverse weather outbreaks obtained named status between September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024 – determined by boffins based on a storm’s potential for ‘high’ or ‘medium’ impact upon the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands.
READ MORE: UK regions set to bask in 27C heatwave this weekend as summer lives on
Click for more of the latest news from the Daily Star
Rain, snow, and wind all come into consideration when weather experts decide whether to title a storm.
(Image: PA)
The 2024-2025 storms were collated in collaboration between the Met Office, Met Eireann (the Irish Metereological Service), and KNMI (the dutch national weather service.
The full list of storm names for 2024-25 is: Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Eowyn, Floris, Gerben, Hugo, Izzy, James, Kayleigh, Lewis, Mavis, Naoise, Otje, Poppy, Rafi, Sayuri, Tilly, Vivienne and Wren.
According to Will Lang, Met Office’s Head of Situational Awareness, this year’s storm names have a special twist. Lang explained: “This year, as we celebrate our 170th birthday, it’s great to be able to honour those who have had an impact on our long history of pioneering weather and climate science services.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Storm James is named after chief meteorologist during the D-Day landings, James Martin Stagg. Another whopper – Storm Lewis – is named after Lewis Fry Richardson, the first person to use computers to predict weather.
Another meteorology computer whiz, Mavis Hinds, will see Storm Mavis named after her. Mavis helped the Met Office develop Numerical Weather Prediction from a theory into an operational process.
Lang also explained that the christening of big storms isn’t just for fun. He added: “Naming storms helps to make communication of severe weather easier and provides clarity when people could be impacted by the weather.”
(Image: PA)
Head of Forecasting Division for Met Eireann, Eoin Sherlock, agrees: “Our key priority is to help protect life and property from extreme weather and ensure the safety of our communities.
“Year after year storm naming proves effective for that. Naming each storm increases the level of public safety and preparedness as people are more likely to remember and respond to warnings when storms are named.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters