Met Office Announces 2026-2027 Storm Names Including Austen, Chloe, and Evelyn

The annual naming convention aims to raise public awareness of impending severe weather events, fostering preparedness and mitigating potential harm. The Met Office, in collaboration with its Irish and Dutch counterparts, issues these names alphabetically, alternating between male and female designations.

This year's list features names such as Austen, Chloe, and Evelyn, continuing the tradition of using easily recognisable monikers to help in clear communication during weather alerts.

A storm is officially named when it has the potential to cause significant impact across the UK, Ireland, or the Netherlands, triggering amber or red weather warnings. The practice of naming storms has been implemented since 2015, with analysis suggesting that it enhances public engagement with weather warnings and improves safety outcomes.