NAMES
Why storms get names
A single naming system gives a consistent message, so people are better placed to keep themselves and their property safe.
See the numbersStart
WHAT THE MET OFFICE SAYS
Read the colour,
then the warning.
A named storm is a warning, not a nickname.
The Met Office names a storm when it could bring amber or red warnings. Each warning colour combines how bad the weather could be with how likely that is, so the words inside matter as much as the colour.
AUSTENfirst name for 2026–27
Check a warningKeep in mind
- Check the colour
- Read the impacts
- Act on amber and red
- Know early, stay safe
THE SHORT ANSWER
Names for clarity,
colours for action.
Names help messages spread.
Colours tell you how seriously to take them.
COLOURS
Impact plus likelihood
Warnings are yellow, amber or red depending on how severe the impacts could be and how likely they are.
Check a warning
ALERTS
Your phone may sound
Emergency alerts work on 4G and 5G phones in range of a mast. They are free and need no app or sign-up.
Be readyA QUICK WARNING CHECK
What colour
is the warning?
Pick a warning to see what the Met Office says it means. The bar shows how strongly it asks you to act.
Based on the Met Office weather warnings guide for the National Severe Weather Warning Service. Always read the warning itself.
TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING
One list a year,
used in order.
One figure on the new list of names,
one on how many were used last season.
21 names
Storm names for 2026–27
The 2026–27 list runs from Austen to Wende, in alphabetical order. The Met Office, Met Éireann and the Dutch weather service KNMI compiled it from public suggestions plus their own.
THE LIST · MET OFFICE
4 storms
Names used by the UK group in 2025–26
The western group named four storms, from Amy in October 2025 to Dave in April 2026. Three more storms that affected the UK were named by French and Spanish forecasters.
LAST SEASON · MET OFFICE
The Met Office says that in the recent climate there is no evidence of a trend, up or down, in the number or intensity of windstorms, which naturally vary a lot from year to year.
FOUR STEPS TO TRY
Ready before
the wind arrives.
These follow the Met Office's warnings guide and GOV.UK's advice on emergency alerts.
Step 1
Read the whole warning
Look past the colour to the impacts, the likelihood matrix and the 'what should I do' advice.
Step 2
Check the days ahead
Warnings can come up to seven days ahead, so look again before travelling.
Step 3
Keep your phone updated
Emergency alerts reach iPhones on iOS 14.5 or later and Android 11 or later, but not phones on 2G or 3G.
Step 4
Act on amber and red
Amber means think about changing plans. Red means act now and avoid travel where you can.
HOW NAMES ARE CHOSEN
No Storm Q,
and no brands.
The UK, Ireland and the Netherlands share one list, published each September and running to late August. When a storm meets the naming criteria, any of the three weather services can name it, taking the next name on the list.
Names starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z are left out to match the US National Hurricane Center. Names are never taken from companies or brands, and if a former Atlantic hurricane arrives it keeps its original name.
Questions
Questions on the way
When does a storm get a name?
In the UK a storm is named when it could cause disruption or damage leading to an amber or red warning. Usually that is for wind, but rain and snow impacts are considered too.
Who names UK storms?
The Met Office, Met Éireann and the Dutch service KNMI share a list. Any of the three can name a storm, taking the next name in alphabetical order.
What are the storm names for 2026–27?
Austen, Boelo, Chloe, Dano, Evelyn, Finn, Gwendolyn, Heather, Ivy, Jade, Kilian, Laoise, Miriam, Nicola, Olaf, Phelim, Ruban, Shaun, Theo, Vesna and Wende. Storms take them in order: the Met Office's UK Storm Centre lists Austen as named on 20 October 2026 and Boelo on 22 October, and gives the latest on each storm as it is named.
Why is there no storm beginning with Q?
Names starting with Q, U, X, Y and Z are left out to stay in line with the US National Hurricane Center's naming conventions.
What do the weather warning colours mean?
Each colour combines how severe the impacts could be with how likely they are. Yellow often means likely moderate impacts, such as some travel disruption, but can also cover more severe weather that is less certain. Amber means severe impacts such as travel delays, power cuts and a potential risk to life and property are more likely, so think about changing your plans. Red means dangerous weather is expected, with a very high likelihood of risk to life: take action now and avoid travelling where possible.
Is a yellow warning nothing to worry about?
Not always. Some yellow warnings mean likely moderate disruption; others mean severe impacts are possible but less certain. Read each warning to know which.
Do I need to sign up for emergency alerts?
No. Alerts are free and broadcast to compatible 4G and 5G phones in range of a mast. The government does not need your phone number to send them.
Destination
Where the facts come from
- Met Office: UK Storm Centre and storm names 2026–27
- Met Office: Weather warnings guide
- Met Office: UK storm season 2025/26
- GOV.UK: How emergency alerts work
- Met Office news (1 September 2026): Official storm names for 2026/27 revealed
What changed
- : Added FAQs listing the 2026–27 storm names (Austen and Boelo named on 20 and 22 October 2026, per the UK Storm Centre) and explaining the warning colours, from the Met Office warnings guide and a new source, its 1 September 2026 names release.
Updated