Met Eireann reveals the names of upcoming storms; Names reflects the nations’ diversity

Storm Allen and Francis are over. What’s next? One may wonder how the names for a storm or a hurricane in the country come about immediately. That’s when Met Iran revealed the names of storms coming next year, or coming up.

Names are given in advance, and now we need to know when they’re coming and get ready for it.

The names were compiled by the UK Met Office, the Dutch National Weather Service (KNMI) and our national forecaster. The names were suggested by the general members and reflect the diversity of the three countries.

Notable names suggested include Saidhbhin, Heulwen, Naia, Fleur and Minne.  

If a storm has been called officially by any National Met Service, the name would be maintained if the storm moves into our waters. The National Hurricane Center (NHC, USA) named Ophelia and Lorenzo, and the IPMA (Portugal) named Emma are examples of this.

Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann and Chair of the European Met Services’ Storm Naming Working Group said: “The naming of storms by National Met Services (as well as colour coding weather warnings as Yellow, Orange or Red) provides a clear, authoritative and consistent message to the public and prompts people to take action to prevent harm to themselves or to their property.”

Mr. Cusack said they choose names that are easy to pronounce, but some are not generally accepted. Storm names also give people an extra interest when one of their names appears in the list, he added.