Home / Weather / Brits Struggle to Get Their Names on Storm Lists, Despite Constant Efforts
Brits Struggle to Get Their Names on Storm Lists, Despite Constant Efforts
17 Nov
Summary
- Wubbo and Dave made it onto storm name lists, but many personal name suggestions rejected
- 1987 storm known as "the one Michael Fish said wouldn't happen" was a major event
- Storm naming aims to raise awareness and save lives, but impacts felt unevenly across UK
As of November 2025, the UK's storm naming system continues to captivate the public's interest, though not everyone has had success getting their personal names included. While "Wubbo" and "Dave" have made it onto future storm lists, many Brits have tried unsuccessfully to get their own or their children's names recognized.
The article reflects on the infamous 1987 storm, which occurred nearly 30 years before storms were officially named. Known as "the one that Michael Fish said definitely wouldn't happen," this weather event was devastating for those impacted, though a 14-year-old who got to skip school and see a movie about a kid who couldn't go to school found some silver lining.
The storm naming system, introduced by the Met Office 10 years ago, aims to raise awareness and help people prepare. However, the impacts of storms like the recent Claudia, which caused damage in the Algarve and flooding in Wales, are often unevenly distributed, with many outside the affected areas simply looking up the name and going about their day.
The article also humorously recounts the author's own failed attempts to get their family's names included, as well as their son's confusion over the naming conventions. Overall, the piece highlights the quirks and divides created by the UK's storm naming system, which, despite its good intentions, can't ensure that the burden is evenly shared.
