Met Éireann Reveals 2025/26 Storm Names

Met Éireann has unveiled the storm names for the upcoming season, with thousands of Irish people submitting suggestions including tributes to loved ones, literary legends, and even particularly energetic grandchildren who are "forces of nature" themselves.

The 2025/26 storm season, which began today and runs until 31st August 2026, features 21 names selected by Met Éireann in partnership with the UK Met Office and the Netherlands' KNMI. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the storm naming initiative, prompting all three meteorological services to invite public participation for the first time.

Ireland's contribution includes seven names chosen from over 10,000 submissions received from 4,137 members of the public through a social media campaign. The Irish selections are Bram, Fionnuala, Gerard, Kasia, Marty, Patrick, and Tadhg.

The complete list for 2025/26 reads: Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet, and Wubbo.

Eoin Sherlock, Head of Forecasting Division in Met Éireann, said:

"Naming storms is a powerful tool that supports us and other public safety organisations to increase awareness of severe and impactful weather alongside our weather warnings. We know that naming storms makes it easier for people to track important and up to date forecast and safety-related information. A good example was Storm Éowyn last January, when our website, met.ie, received more than 3 million visits in 2 days."

Among the Irish selections, Bram honours renowned Irish writer Bram Stoker, creator of Dracula, with one submission noting "his world is of the night with the howl of the wolves mirroring the sounds of a storm." Gerard received 35 nominations from friends and family of one man battling cancer, with supporters writing that "Gerard is weathering his own storm at the moment."

Seven-year-old Tadhg earned his place on the list after his grandmother described him as "a real force of nature" and "our 7-year-old whirlwind who just never stops," while Kasia was chosen to "recognise other nationalities living in Ireland and their heritage."

Sherlock added:

"Even though the process of selecting the names was a fun and light-hearted task, communicating forecasts and safety messages ahead of and during every severe weather event is our highest priority. At the start of the storm season, we echo the government advice to 'Be Winter Ready' and prepare now for possible severe weather events to come."

The timing is particularly poignant for Cork residents, who will remember the record-breaking Storm Éowyn in January 2025, which saw gusts of 184km/h at Mace Head, County Galway: provisionally Ireland's strongest gust speed ever recorded, breaking the previous record of 182km/h set at Foynes, County Limerick in 1945.

Rebekah Hicks, Chief Meteorologist at the UK Met Office, explained:

"Naming storms isn't just about giving them a label, it's about making sure people take notice. When a storm has a name, it becomes easier for the media and public to talk about it, share information, and prepare. It's a simple step that can make a big difference in helping communities stay safe."

She noted that during Storm Floris in August 2025, surveys found that 93% of people in the amber warning area were aware of the alerts, with 83% taking action to prepare.

A storm receives its name when it could result in medium or high impacts in any of the three partner countries. The naming system allows for consistent communication with the public, helping them prepare for and stay safe during severe weather events.

The season just ending (2024/25) saw six named storms affecting Ireland: Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, Éowyn, and Floris. Since the initiative began in 2015, Ireland has averaged around eight named storms per season, with the highest number being 14 in 2023/24.

For Cork residents keen to stay informed, Met Éireann's free app provides push notifications for weather warnings and can be customised for specific counties. The met.ie website remains the most reliable source for forecasts and warnings, particularly during severe weather events.