In short: The Met Office, Met Éireann and KNMI published the 2026/27 storm names on 1 September 2026, starting with Austen, Boelo and Chloe. A storm is named when it could cause disruption or damage serious enough for an amber or red warning. Warning colours combine how likely the weather is with the impact it could have, so the colour tells you how much to act, not just how strong the wind will be.
Key facts
- The 2026/27 storm names were published by the Met Office on 1 September 2026. Source
- The 21 names are Austen, Boelo, Chloe, Dano, Evelyn, Finn, Gwendolyn, Heather, Ivy, Jade, Kilian, Laoise, Miriam, Nicola, Olaf, Phelim, Ruban, Shaun, Theo, Vesna and Wende. Source
- Storm Austen was named on 20 October 2026 and Storm Boelo on 22 October 2026. Source
- Storm naming is run jointly by the Met Office, Met Éireann and KNMI, the Dutch national weather service, and the UK scheme began in 2015. Source
- A storm is named when it is expected to cause disruption or damage serious enough for an amber or red warning. There is no fixed wind speed, rainfall total or pressure that triggers a name. Source
- Warning colours combine the likely impact of the weather with how likely that impact is. Source
- Floodline is 0345 988 1188, a 24-hour service. Flood warnings are free to sign up for. Source
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Every autumn the Met Office and its partners publish a new list of storm names. The 2026/27 list came out on 1 September 2026, and two storms have already been named this season. This page gives you the full list, explains why some storms get a name and others don't, and sets out what the yellow, amber and red warning colours mean for your household.
A storm name is not a reason to worry. It is a signal to check the forecast and look at your plan.
The 2026/27 storm names
The Met Office UK Storm Centre lists these 21 names, in order:
| Austen | Boelo (Boo-loh) | Chloe |
| Dano (Dah-noh) | Evelyn | Finn |
| Gwendolyn (Gwen-duh-lin) | Heather | Ivy |
| Jade | Kilian | Laoise (Lee-sha) |
| Miriam | Nicola | Olaf |
| Phelim (Fay-lim) | Ruban | Shaun |
| Theo | Vesna (Vehs-nuh) | Wende (Vhen-duh) |
Pronunciations are the Met Office's own. Some names come from each of the three weather services. The Met Office says it received more than 40,000 suggestions from the public, and KNMI more than 3,000. Met Éireann chose names that honour people from its history to mark its 90th anniversary. Shaun was picked by a public vote run with Aardman (Met Office, 1 September 2026).
The Met Office says some letters are left out to match international naming practice. You'll notice no names start with Q, U, X, Y or Z.
Storms named so far
As of 28 October 2026, the storm centre lists:
- Storm Austen, named 20 October 2026
- Storm Boelo, named 22 October 2026
So the next name on the list is Chloe. We don't know when, or whether, it will be used. Check the storm centre for the latest.
How storm naming works
Storm naming in the UK began in 2015. It is run jointly by the Met Office, Met Éireann (Ireland) and KNMI (the Netherlands). Other groups of countries in Europe have their own lists (Met Office blog).
A storm is named when it is expected to cause disruption or damage serious enough for an amber or red warning in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands. Strong wind is usually the main reason. Heavy rain or snow can also lead to a name.
There is no fixed wind speed, rainfall total or air pressure that makes a storm get a name. The decision is about impact: what the weather could do to people, homes and travel. That is why a storm can be named while only a yellow warning is in force, if the impacts could be serious but it isn't yet clear exactly where they will hit.
The point of a name is simple. It gives forecasts and warnings a clear focus, so more people hear about the storm and act early.
What the warning colours mean
The Met Office's warnings are impact-based. The colour does not just tell you how strong the wind will be or how much rain will fall. It combines two things: how big the impact could be, and how likely it is to happen (Met Office warnings guide). Each warning shows this on a small grid called a risk matrix, in its "Further details" section.
| Colour | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Covers a range of situations. Some are likely to bring moderate disruption in a few places. Others could bring bigger impacts, but they are less certain. | Check whether you could be affected. Look at the forecast again later. |
| Amber | Impacts from severe weather are more likely and could disrupt your plans. | Think about changing your plans. Take action to protect yourself and your property. Think about family and neighbours, and whether you need to prepare before the weather arrives. |
| Red | Dangerous weather is expected. | Act now if you haven't already, to keep yourself and others safe. Avoid travelling where possible. Follow the advice of the emergency services and your local council. |
For a storm, sensible steps at amber might include bringing in or tying down garden furniture and bins, charging phones and power banks, and checking your torch and radio. Our storm and flood preparation guide has a fuller list.
Where to get warnings
Use official sources first. Social media posts and screenshots can be out of date.
- Met Office. The Met Office app and website show all current warnings. You can also get warnings by email alert, and they are shared on TV, radio and social media.
- Flood warnings (England). Sign up free on GOV.UK to get warnings by phone call, text or email. You need a way to be contacted at any time. The service covers flooding from rivers, the sea and groundwater. It does not cover surface water (flash) flooding.
- Floodline: 0345 988 1188. It runs 24 hours (textphone 0345 602 6340). Call charges may apply. You can sign up by phone for England, Scotland or Wales.
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own flood services, which GOV.UK links to from its flood check page.
Turn the warning into a plan
A warning helps most if you've already decided what you'll do. Take ten minutes, on a calm day, to write down:
- who you'll check on (an older neighbour, a relative who lives alone)
- where your torch, radio and power bank are
- how to turn off your electricity, gas and water
- where you'd go if you had to leave home
Our free household plan builder turns this into a one-page plan you can print for the fridge. It also finds your local power network operator from your postcode, which helps if a storm brings a power cut.
Limitations
This page explains official information from the Met Office and GOV.UK. It isn't a forecast and isn't official guidance itself. Storm names and warnings change quickly, so always check the Met Office for current warnings. The Met Office press release image spells one name "Killian", while its list text and the storm centre use "Kilian"; we have used "Kilian". Follow instructions from the emergency services and your local council, and call 999 if anyone is in danger.
Turn this guide into a written plan
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Frequently asked questions
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. The list was chosen by the Met Office, Met Éireann and KNMI.
Which storms have been named so far this season?
As of 28 October 2026, the Met Office storm centre lists Storm Austen (named 20 October 2026) and Storm Boelo (named 22 October 2026). Check the Met Office UK Storm Centre for the latest.
Why does a storm get a name?
The Met Office says a storm is named when it is expected to cause disruption or damage serious enough for an amber or red warning. Strong wind is usually the main reason, but heavy rain or snow can count too. A named storm gives forecasts and warnings a clear focus.
Can a storm be named when there is only a yellow warning?
Yes. The Met Office says a yellow warning can be in force when a storm is named, for example when disruptive impacts are possible but it is not yet clear exactly where they will happen.
What should I do when there is an amber warning?
The Met Office advises thinking about changing your plans and taking action to protect yourself and your property. Think about your family and community, and whether you need to prepare before the weather arrives.
How do I get flood warnings?
In England you can sign up free online or by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188, which runs 24 hours. Floodline phone sign-up also covers Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own service.
Sources
- Met Office — From family tributes to Shaun the Sheep: official storm names for 2026/27 revealed (1 September 2026)
- Met Office — UK Storm Centre
- Met Office blog — What does it take for a storm to be named? (20 October 2026)
- Met Office — Weather warnings guide
- GOV.UK — Sign up for flood warnings
- GOV.UK — Check for flooding