Spain, together with Portugal, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Andorra, has finalised a new list of 21 names for storms and danas that could affect the region from September 2026 to September 2027. The roster, ranging from Adam to Walter and including names such as Vera and Rafael, will identify severe weather systems expected to bring strong winds or heavy rainfall across southwestern Europe.
This is the tenth consecutive year that the Southwest European Group, which now includes Andorra’s Servei Meteorològic Nacional, will assign names to storms and, since last year, to danas, isolated high-altitude depressions known for triggering intense rainfall. All participating meteorological agencies agree on the list in advance. They include Spain’s Aemet, Portugal’s IPMA, France’s Météo-France, Belgium’s RMI and Luxembourg’s MeteoLux. Names alternate between male and female, following the model used for hurricanes in the United States, and are chosen for easy pronunciation in all the group’s languages. Some letters, such as Q and U, are excluded because no suitable names are available.
Not every storm or dana receives a name. Only systems forecast to have a impressive impact are included, requiring orange or red alerts for wind, rain or snow over large areas. For wind events, orange (impressive risk) or red (extreme danger) warnings must be issued. For rain or snow, orange or red alerts are needed, sometimes alongside yellow wind warnings. For danas, which rarely bring strong winds, only rainfall criteria apply. The aim is to name only the most dangerous weather events, helping authorities and the public focus on the gravest threats.
The naming system is designed to make communication clearer during severe weather, aiding emergency response and later analysis. It has proved effective in recent years: the 2025-2026 list ended at Therese, named by Portugal in March, with two names, Vitor and Wilma, left unused. Unlike the Atlantic hurricane list, the Southwest European list has never been exhausted in a single season.
Names reflect the linguistic diversity of the participating countries. Options include Flora, Gabriel, Julia, Lola, Rafael and Vera from Spanish; Adam, Heloise and Nathalie from French; Bruna from Catalan; and Igor, which is common in the Basque Country. The selection process aims to ensure inclusivity and easy pronunciation across all the languages involved.
Spain, France and Portugal began naming storms in 2017, starting with Ana. Since October 2025, the system has also covered high-impact danas. Through the University of Berlin’s parallel system, naming a storm costs €199, while naming an anticyclone costs €299; proceeds support meteorological research. This can sometimes mean the same weather system has different names in different parts of Europe. The University of Berlin has allowed citizens to sponsor names for all cyclones and anticyclones since 1954.
Besides the Southwest European Group, five other naming groups operate across Europe, each with its own procedures. The system is part of a broader effort to improve public safety and scientific tracking of severe weather. Spain has recently experienced unusual weather patterns, including the sharp temperature drop in Madrid last August, when a polar air mass brought the coldest day in decades. This report on Madrid’s record low August temperatures details the event.
The annual list of storm names is a practical tool for meteorologists, emergency services and the public, helping ensure major weather events are clearly identified and communicated across borders. As climate patterns continue to shift, coordinated naming and alerts remain part of Europe’s response to severe weather risks.
