Latest list of storm names revealed as autumn and winter approach

THE LIST of storm names for the upcoming autumn and winter seasons have been released by Met Éireann, the UK Met Office and KNMI - the national weather service of the Netherlands.

Similar to previous years, each of the three weather services has contributed names reflective of their nation and culture, mainly suggested by members of the public. 

Met Éireann says it chose names of eminent Irish/Northern-Irish scientists, to honour their important contributions to science and benefits for humankind. 

Commenting following the publication of the names, Eoin Sherlock, Head of the Forecasting Division in Met Éireann, said: "Storm naming is an important asset in our warnings arsenal and makes severe weather communications clearer and more effective. It connects our weather services more closely to the public, helping us in our mission to protect lives and property and ensuring the safety of our communities."

Mr Sherlock added that Met Éireann is delighted to celebrate science and scientists in this year’s names. "As part of our process we asked the public to choose the name for letter “A”, resulting in Agnes, after Irish astronomer and science writer Agnes Mary Clerke. Our warmest thanks to all who voted and to those who suggested other names that we will keep in mind for future seasons."

The letter “J” this year is named by Met Éireann after Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the brilliant astrophysicist who discovered the first pulsating radio stars (or pulsars) in 1967. She has led a distinguished career in research and teaching, with an emphasis on empowering women in physics.

Reacting to the announcement of the new storm names list, Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell said: "I am delighted to feature in this distinguished list celebrating science and hope that if a potential “Storm Jocelyn” happens, it may be a useful stirring-up rather than a destructive event! Science advancements increase our knowledge and understanding of the world around us, and I think this is wonderful example of science-based services communications.”

Since 2015, Met Éireann and the UK Met Office have been working together on the naming programme and they were joined by the Netherlands’ KMNI in 2019.