Met Éireann reveals 2025/26 storm names including Irish favourites and tributes

Eoin Sherlock, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann.

The public has helped shape this year’s official list of storm names, and some of them are straight out of Irish homes, histories, and even pet bowls.

Marking the 10th anniversary of the storm naming initiative, Met Éireann today unveiled the new line-up for the 2025/26 storm season, which runs until next August. 

The names were chosen in partnership with the British Met Office and the Dutch meteorological service KNMI — and for the first time, members of the Irish public got their say through a social media campaign.

Over 10,000 suggestions poured in from 4,137 people, whittled down to seven Irish contributions for the 21-name list: Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet, Wubbo.

Some names carry heartfelt stories. Bram nods to Irish gothic giant Bram Stoker. Gerard comes from a man battling illness whose family wanted him honoured. And Tadhg, according to one proud grandmother, is already a storm in his own right.

Eoin Sherlock, head of forecasting at Met Éireann, said the public response showed just how personal storm names can be.

“2025 marks 10 years since the storm naming initiative began and we wanted to involve Ireland’s public more than ever,” he said.

“There were many personal stories of friends, family, loved ones, and pets, as well as many suggestions honouring our history, culture, and literature.” 

But behind the fun, Mr Sherlock stressed that the naming system is a serious safety tool.

'Powerful tool'

“Naming storms is a powerful tool that supports us and other public safety organisations to increase awareness of severe and impactful weather,” he said. He pointed to Storm Éowyn last January, which drove more than 3 million visits to met.ie in just two days.

A storm gets a name when it’s expected to cause medium or high impacts in Ireland, Britain, or the Netherlands. The national service most at risk does the naming, and along with the name comes the relevant orange or red warnings for wind, rain, or snow.

Since 2015, Met Éireann and the Met Office have worked together on the scheme, with KNMI joining in 2019. Other European weather services, as well as the US, follow similar practices.

Rebekah Hicks, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said the evidence is clear.

“When a storm has a name, it becomes easier for the media and public to talk about it, share information, and prepare,” she said.

“We know that for Storm Floris, just a few weeks ago, surveys found that 93% of people in the amber warning area were aware of the alerts — with 83% taking action to prepare.”