Scotland recently experienced its first named storm of the 2024/2025 season, as Storm Ashley brought 80mph winds and heavy rain over the weekend. Weather warnings were issued across the country, with experts warning that more storms could be on the way. Last year marked a record number of named storms since 2015, with 12 storms recorded between September and August.
Looking ahead, the next storms on the Met Office list include Storm Bert, followed by Storm Conall and Storm Darragh. If the storm season continues as active as the previous year, the list could extend to Storm Lewis and even Storm Mavis – setting a new record. The Met Office collaborates with other meteorological agencies to name storms, aiming to raise public awareness about the potential severity of the weather.
Naming storms also helps in communicating a consistent message to the public. Individuals can suggest storm names by submitting a form on the Met Office website, albeit complying with rules that exclude names starting with Q, U, X, Y, or Z. Last year’s storm season commenced earlier with Storm Agnes in September, followed by Storm Babet in October, which led to a red warning in the North-East of Scotland.
Subsequent storms like Ciaran, Debi, Elin, Fergus, and Gerritt hit in quick succession towards the end of the year. The trend continued into January with three storms and occasional breaks until April. Storm Kathleen marked the start of the year’s storm activity, culminating in Storm Lillian in August. Meteorologists attribute the increase in storm activity to the positioning and strength of the jet stream, influencing the weather patterns in the UK.
Explaining the phenomenon, Met Office meteorologist Annie Shuttleworth highlighted the role of the jet stream in directing low-pressure systems towards the UK, resulting in named storms due to strong winds and heavy rainfall. Storm season serves as a reminder of the powerful forces of nature and the importance of being prepared for severe weather events.
The official storm names for the 2024/2025 season include Ashley, Bert, Conall, Darragh, and more. As Scotland braces for potential future storms, the Met Office continues its vigilance in monitoring and naming significant weather systems to keep the public informed and safe.