Met Office reveals storm names for 2024 and 2025

In the UK, the Met Office has revealed the storm names for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 seasons as part of its ongoing weather management efforts. This announcement comes against the backdrop of Storm Herminia, which recently struck the country. The storms are named from a list that has been in place since 2015 and typically runs from early September of the current year until late August of the following year, aligning with the seasonal transition into autumn. The new list highlights notable individuals from the Met Office’s 170-year history. Names such as James, Lewis, and Mavis are included as commemorative gestures to those who have significantly contributed to meteorology. Group Captain James Stagg was the chief meteorologist tasked with advising General Dwight Eisenhower on weather forecasts during the D-Day landings in World War II, while Lewis Fry Richardson was instrumental in developing mathematical models for weather forecasting using computers. Mavis Hinds is recognized for her work on early Met Office computers. This gesture of naming storms not only aims at clearer communication during periods of severe weather but also celebrates the rich legacy of weather science in the UK. The practice is shared with other meteorological agencies, including Met Eireann in Ireland and KNMI in the Netherlands, demonstrating an international commitment to effective public safety communication. As the Met Office marks its 170th anniversary, leaders in the organization express pride in honoring the contributors to the field, reinforcing the importance of recognizing historical figures who have laid the groundwork for modern meteorological practices. They view this as a significant milestone both for the organization and for public awareness of weather-related challenges.