Public Invited to Select Future Storm Name in Unique Collaboration
The Met Office has announced an exciting opportunity for the public to influence the future of storm naming by voting for their favourite character from the beloved animated series, Shaun the Sheep. In partnership with Aardman, the creative minds behind the iconic character, the public will choose between Shaun and his younger companion, Timmy, to feature on the official storm names list for the upcoming 2026/27 storm season.
This inaugural public vote is set to take place from 19 to 21 August, hosted on the Met Office’s social media platforms. Participants will be able to decide whether Shaun or Timmy will join the ranks of officially recognised storm names, with the winning name scheduled to be revealed on 1 September.
Bringing Together Two British Icons
This collaboration represents a fusion of expertise between two esteemed British institutions—the Met Office, known for its advanced weather forecasting capabilities, and Aardman, celebrated for its endearing storytelling. The initiative aims to enhance public understanding of storm naming and the significance of weather warnings in keeping communities safe.
Storm naming plays a vital role in public safety, facilitating awareness and discussion about severe weather events that could have far-reaching impacts. By partnering with Aardman, the Met Office seeks to engage wider audiences and foster meaningful conversations about preparedness for severe weather conditions.
This announcement coincides with Aardman’s 50th anniversary celebrations and the upcoming release of the new film, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, set to hit UK cinemas on 18 September.
Shaun the Sheep as a Champion of Environmental Awareness
As a well-known ambassador for sustainability and one of the most recognisable animated characters in the UK, Shaun the Sheep embodies themes of nature and environmental awareness. This makes him an ideal choice for a campaign aimed at promoting understanding of weather phenomena and preparedness.
Holly Clements, Head of Warnings and Guidance at the Met Office, emphasised the importance of storm naming for effective communication of weather warnings. She stated, “Naming storms helps our weather warnings reach more people and encourages the public to take notice when severe weather is approaching. This collaboration with Aardman gives us a fantastic opportunity to engage new audiences and explain why storm naming matters.”
Clements further noted, “Whether you’re Team Shaun or Team Timmy, we hope the vote encourages individuals to learn more about storm naming, weather warnings, and how to stay prepared during severe weather.”
Voting Details and Announcement of Results
The voting process will be available across multiple Met Office social media channels, including X, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube community platforms. Voting will commence at 11:00 am on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, and will close on Friday, 21 August 2026, also at 11:00 am.
Members of the public can cast their votes for either Shaun or Timmy, specifically for which character will be incorporated into this year’s storm names list. The outcome of the public vote will be disclosed on 21 August, with the complete list of storm names for the 2026/27 season released by the Met Office, Met Éireann, and KNMI on 1 September.
Amy Pearson, Director of Brand Marketing and PR at Aardman, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “It’s brilliant to be teaming up with the Met Office to give fans the chance to help choose a future storm name. Weather is a familiar part of life on Mossy Bottom Farm, making this a fun and meaningful way to connect Shaun and Timmy’s world with an important public message.” She added that the initiative is aimed at sparking enjoyable discussions about severe weather and its impact on everyone.