Storms · 5 min read

UK Storm Names 2026/27: The Full List, from Austen to Wende

By Emma Clarke · October 14, 2026

Storm Austen, Storm Boelo, Storm Chloe: these are the first names on the list for the 2026/27 storm season in the UK and Ireland. Here is the full list of 21 names, how to pronounce the less familiar ones, and the rules for when a storm actually gets a name.

Photo: Jeremy Segrott, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

The full list of storm names for 2026/27

The Met Office, Met Éireann and the Dutch weather service KNMI announced the names for the 2026/27 season on September 1, 2026. The season runs from September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027. Names are used in alphabetical order, so the first storm of the season to be named will be Austen, the second Boelo, and so on.

Source: Met Office, list announced on September 1, 2026.

As in previous years, there are no names starting with Q, U, X, Y or Z, which keeps the list in line with international storm naming conventions.

When does a storm get a name?

A storm is named when it has the potential to cause medium or high impacts in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands. In practice, that usually means an amber or red warning is expected at some point during the event. Strong winds are the main consideration, but a storm can also be named for significant impacts from rain or snow.

Not every windy day gets a name. Many autumn and winter low-pressure systems only bring yellow warnings, and those pass without one. Read more about what the different warning levels mean in our guide to color-coded weather warnings.

Why do storms get names?

The scheme started in 2015 and is now in its twelfth year. A name makes it easier to follow a storm in the news and on social media, and to talk about it before, during and after it hits. The idea is that a named storm gets more attention, so people are more likely to take the warnings seriously and prepare.

The three weather services work together because the same storms often affect all three countries. A storm that sweeps in from the Atlantic can hit Ireland first, then the UK, and then the Netherlands a day later, and it keeps the same name the whole way.

Where do the names come from?

Each weather service contributes seven names, some of them chosen from suggestions sent in by the public. Austen, the first name of the season, was picked by Met Éireann to mark its 90th anniversary, in honour of Austen Nagle, the first director of the Irish Meteorological Service. Boelo, the first Dutch name, is a rare regional name from the east of the province of Groningen. The Met Office list includes a special addition this year: Shaun, as in Shaun the Sheep.

What to do when a named storm is coming

A named storm is a signal to check the forecast and warnings for where you live and where you are travelling. Secure loose items in gardens and on balconies, expect delays on roads, rail and ferries, and stay away from exposed coastal paths and sea walls when waves are high. Use the Beaufort wind scale to get a feel for what forecast wind speeds mean in practice, and check the London forecast or your own city closer to the time.

Frequently asked questions

What is the first storm name for 2026/27?
Austen. It is followed by Boelo, Chloe, Dano and Evelyn. The names are used in alphabetical order through the season.

Who chooses the UK storm names?
The Met Office, Met Éireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands choose the names together. Each service contributes seven names to the list of 21.

When does a storm get a name?
When it has the potential to cause medium or high impacts in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands, usually when an amber or red warning is expected. Strong winds are the main factor, but rain or snow can also lead to a name.

How do you pronounce Boelo and Laoise?
According to the Met Office, Boelo is pronounced Boo-loh and Laoise is pronounced Lee-sha.

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