As Storm Chandra approaches, bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds to the UK, authorities have issued multiple weather warnings across the country. The storm is expected to strike on Tuesday, with significant weather disruptions forecasted, including the potential for flooding and travel delays.
An amber warning has been issued for parts of southwest England, where rainfall totals could reach 30 to 50mm, with amounts up to 80mm possible on higher ground, particularly in areas like south Dartmoor. Yellow rain warnings also stretch across much of England, including London and the South East, as well as parts of Wales and Northern Ireland. Forecasters are also predicting heavy snowfall in northern areas, especially on higher ground.
2025/26 Storm Naming System Revealed
The arrival of Storm Chandra is part of the 2025/26 storm season, which runs until August 31, 2026. The Met Office, in collaboration with Met Éireann (Ireland) and KNMI (Netherlands), has released a list of storm names for this period, following a well-established alphabetical naming system.
Storm Chandra, which will affect the UK this week, follows Storm Bram, which was named in December 2025. The name Chandra, derived from Sanskrit, means “moon” and carries connotations of calmness and light. In Hindu mythology, Chandra is also the name of the moon god, symbolizing brightness. The next storm to hit will be named Storm David, continuing the alphabetical sequence.
Throughout this season, each of the three meteorological services contributed seven names to the list, with some names chosen through public submissions. However, due to challenges in naming storms, the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z are excluded from the list, ensuring that no storms receive names starting with these letters.
Storms are named when they are predicted to have a significant impact, such as bringing heavy winds, rain, or snow that could pose a risk to life or property. The naming system, introduced in 2015, helps the public better engage with weather warnings and increases awareness of potential dangers.
As Storm Chandra makes its way across the UK, experts emphasize the importance of storm naming in keeping the public informed and safe. “Naming storms isn’t just about giving them a label,” said Rebekah Hicks, Chief Meteorologist at the UK Met Office. “It’s about making sure people take notice, so they can make informed decisions ahead of severe weather.” This approach has proven to be effective in prompting both media coverage and public action, ensuring that crucial safety information is widely disseminated.
