In a week, we will announce the new storm names for the season 2025-2026. But first, lets take a look back at the storms of the past season. In the western group, which includes the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Ireland, five storms occurred. For the Netherlands, the storms fell in a winter that was mild and gloomy.
First, storm Ashley brought strong winds and heavy rain to a large part of the United Kingdom on October 20 and 21, 2024. In the Netherlands, Ashley only caused cloudy and rainy weather.
Storm Conall in the Netherlands
In the northern part of the country, orange code was issued on November 27, 2024, for very strong wind gusts
Storm Bert raged over the United Kingdom and Ireland on November 24, 2024, leading to flooding and also to high water levels in Friesland. A few days later, on November 27, storm Conall reached the Netherlands. In the northern part of the country, orange code was issued for very strong wind gusts. Storm Darragh caused a lot of wind and rain in the southwest of the United Kingdom on December 7, 2024. In the Netherlands, there was no impact.
Severe Storm Éowyn in Great Britain and Ireland
The most severe storm in decades, named Éowyn, moved from Ireland towards Scotland on January 24, 2025. In Ireland, wind gusts of 183 kilometers per hour were recorded on the west coast. This has not happened there since 1945. In the Netherlands, it was windy, but it did not reach storm levels. However, the effects of the storm were also felt in our country. At Schiphol, about twenty flights to and from the United Kingdom and Ireland were canceled.
This Summer Storm Floris in Parts of the United Kingdom
After a long silence, storm Floris crossed Scotland on August 4, 2025, with wind gusts of 200 kilometers per hour. More than 30,000 homes were without power there. Also in Northern Ireland and northern England, it was very windy and rainy. The storm caused damage in many places. The Netherlands was not affected by the storm.
Has Naming Storms Helped?
Two-thirds of people took action as a result of storm Conall
Storms are given names to make people aware of the danger before the dangerous weather hits, so everyone can prepare. Surveys after storms show how effective naming storms is in raising awareness. With storm Conall, almost everyone (95%) in the area was aware of the warning. This was usually one or two days before the warning. This was the highest score of all orange codes in 2024, along with the orange code for severe thunderstorms on July 9. Two-thirds took action as a result of storm Conall.
Most people (97%) knew that storm Conall had a name. However, four out of five people do not care whether storms have names or not. From the KNMI, Met Office, and Met Éireann, we notice that naming storms is effective in raising awareness. Through recognition, we hope to reach as many people as possible with our warning before the weather strikes. Naming storms by the KNMI also helps communication through the media and other government agencies. The progress of the storm is therefore easier to follow through the media, social media, and online.
New List of Storm Names on September 1
Together with the weather services Met Office (Great Britain) and Met Éireann (Ireland), the names list for the season 2025-2026 has been compiled from submissions by residents of the three countries. On Monday, September 1, 2025, the new storm season begins, and we will announce the list in a news release and via our social media channels.