The 2026–27 European windstorm season is the current and twelfth occurrence of the continent's coordinated severe weather naming programme. While the official list of names is usually unveiled on or just before 1 September 2026, the season's duration typically spans from the start of September 2026 through to 31 August 2027, apart from the Eastern Mediterranean group, where the season begins on 1 October.
This year represents the eighth season of collaboration within the Western Group, where the Netherlands Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI) works alongside the UK's Met Office and Ireland's Met Éireann. To the south-west, the national meteorological agencies of Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium and Luxembourg have united for their tenth year of partnership.
The Mediterranean regions have also entered their sixth year of formal naming. This includes the Eastern Mediterranean group—comprising Greece, Israel, and Cyprus—and the Central Mediterranean group, which includes Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Malta. Furthermore, this is the second year that the Northern Group, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, have joined the initiative.

Background and naming

Naming conventions and criteria

European windstorms lack a single universal definition or naming system, with national meteorological agencies coordinating through regional EUMETNET groups instead. These regional groups name severe weather systems when forecast thresholds trigger high-level warnings to enhance public awareness.
The primary European storm-naming groups and their participating agencies operate as follows:

2026–2027 storm names

Western group (United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands)
Names chosen by the western group are as follows.

South-western group (France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Luxembourg and Andorra)
Names chosen by the south-western group are as follows.[1]

Northern group (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)
Unlike other naming groups, the Northern Group maintains a continuous, multi-season list of storm names, continuing sequential assignment from the next available entry following the usage of "Anna".

Central Mediterranean group (Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Malta)
Names chosen by the central-mediterranean group are as follows.

Eastern Mediterranean group (Greece, Israel and Cyprus)
Names chosen by the eastern-mediterranean group are as follows

Central/FUB naming group (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary)
Like the northern group, the Free University of Berlin names storms based on low pressures across the continent and does not use a naming list. The critical criterion for FUB inclusion is that the storm must prompt a widespread orange weather warning or greater across the affected Central, NE, or SE regions of Europe.

Atlantic ex-tropical cyclones
Ex-tropical cyclones (subtropical storms, tropical storms, or hurricanes) that directly impacted a European country from the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season or the 2027 Atlantic hurricane season which became a European windstorm and retained its name as assigned by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida.

Isaias

Season summary

All storms named by European meteorological organisations in their respective forecasting areas, as well as Atlantic hurricanes that transitioned into European windstorms and retained the name assigned by the National Hurricane Center:

Storms

Ex-Hurricane Isaias

Naming and warnings
Hurricane Isaias, named by the National Hurricane Center, formed in the Bay of Campeche, rapidly intensifying into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 2 hurricane on October 10. After dissipating on 13 October, a new system formed within its remnants and proceeded to absorb Isaias’s remnants; it was picked up by the jet stream and began to undergo explosive cyclogenesis on the 14th.
The Met Office issued yellow weather warnings in northwest Scotland due to the threat of heavy winds. The Icelandic Meteorological Office issued orange weather warnings for South Iceland, Breiðafjörður, the Westfjords, Strandir, and Northwest Iceland, alongside yellow alerts for the capital region.
Impacts
The storm delivers severe gale-force winds of 18–25 m/s (40–56 mph) with gusts exceeding 80 mph (130 km/h), triggering widespread blizzard conditions, road closures, and domestic flight cancellations across western and northern Iceland. Furthermore, the low-pressure system generates unusually high ocean swells and elevated sea levels along the southern and western coastlines.
A top wind gust of 128 mph (206 km/h) was recorded at the Steinar weather station near Skógar, Southern Region, Iceland (20 m (66 ft) above sea level). A 10-minute sustained windspeed of 93 mph (150 km/h) was recorded on the island of Heimaey off the southern coast.

Storm Adam (Katja)

Naming and warnings
Storm Adam was named on 16 October 2026 by the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), marking the first named storm of the 2026–2027 Southwestern Group season. The system developed off the Iberian Peninsula, bringing a cold front and widespread severe rainfall, high winds, and rough sea conditions across parts of mainland Spain, Portugal, and the Balearic Islands.
It was also known as Katja in Germany by Free University of Berlin.
Ahead of the storm, AEMET issued orange and yellow weather alerts across eastern and southern Spain and the Balearic Islands for intense, persistent precipitation and localised flash flooding.
On 17 October, AEMET escalated weather alerts to their highest level, issuing a Red Weather Alert for extreme rainfall across the southern coast of Valencia and the northern coast of Alicante. Forecasters warned that localized rainfall could exceed 200 mm (7.9 in) within 12 hours and up to 300 mm (12 in) over a 24-hour period.
Simultaneously, Orange Weather Alerts for heavy rain and thunderstorms producing 40–80 mm/h were activated across Catalonia (including Barcelona and Girona), the Balearic Islands (particularly Ibiza and Formentera), and parts of Murcia. Yellow alerts were deployed across Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha for wind gusts of 70–80 km/h (43–50 mph) and high coastal swells. Regional emergency services activated specialized flood protection plans—such as Catalonia's INUNCAT and the Balearic METEOBAL—advising residents to cancel non-essential travel and avoid dry riverbeds (*ramblas*).
As the storm tracked eastwards across the Western Mediterranean on 20 October, its associated low-pressure trough brought severe weather conditions to Northern and Central Italy. Weather advisories and flood warnings were issued for Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and coastal areas, with forecasters warning of intense localized downpours, potential landslides, and swelling river networks. Additionally, an influx of cold air pulled in by Adam drove the snow line down below 2,000 m (6,600 ft) across the Italian Alps, bringing early-season snowfall to high-elevation areas.
Impacts
The system generated widespread flash flooding, urban inundation, and swelling of local ravines and watercourses across eastern Spain and the Balearics, with localized rainfall accumulations reaching 150–250 mm (5.9–9.8 in). Strong easterly Levante and Tramontana winds produced rough sea conditions and coastal surges along the Mediterranean shoreline, disrupting regional maritime transit and ferry links. A maximum wind gust of 54 mph (87 km/h) was reported in Oliva, Valencia. Additionally, the infusion of cold polar air brought an abrupt thermal drop of 8–10 °C (14–18 °F) across inland central and southern Spain, abruptly ending an unseasonably warm early-autumn period.
At least five fatalities were attributed to severe flooding and hazardous marine conditions across eastern Spain. In Sagunto, a 55-year-old woman drowned after being swept away by strong waves off Almardà Beach. In Catalonia, a 35-year-old woman was carried out to sea and killed after attempting to cross a swollen stream near Malgrat de Mar. Additional fatalities occurred across the Valencian Community as several rivers and ravines overflowed.

Storm Austen (Luise)

Naming and warnings
Storm Austen was officially named on 20 October 2026 by the Met Office, marking the first named storm of the 2026–2027 Western Group windstorm season for the western group. Developing over the North Atlantic, the system was forecast to track east-northeastward toward the British Isles, bringing heavy rainfall and disruptive gale-force winds. The storm is named for English meteorologist, Austen H. Nagle (1903–1984), who served as the first director of the Irish Meteorological Service.
It was also known as Luise in Germany by Free University of Berlin.
Ahead of the storm's arrival, the Met Office issued yellow severe weather warnings for wind across South West England, South Wales, and southern coastal counties extending east to Brighton, effective from midnight to midday on 23 October. Forecasters warned of widespread gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 km/h), with peak coastal gusts exceeding 70 mph (110 km/h), alongside rainfall accumulations of 20–30 mm (0.8–1.2 in).
Following the official naming of Storm Austen by the Met Office on 20 October 2026, Met Éireann issued a series of national severe weather warnings as the low-pressure system tracked toward the south of the country. Prior to the main rainband, Met Éireann issued an initial Status Yellow rain warning for Dublin and Wicklow, effective from 01:00 to 08:00 IST on 21 October, warning of localized surface flooding and hazardous morning commute conditions. As the core associated with Austen approached, a nationwide Status Yellow rain warning was declared across all 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland, scheduled from 19:00 IST on 22 October through 08:00 IST on 23 October. Forecasters warned that the storm's eastern progression across Ireland would deliver heavy rainfall capable of causing widespread travel disruption, localised surface flooding, and impacts to outdoor events.
The KNMI issued national weather advisories as the storm's eastern circulation brought widespread rainbands and gusty conditions across coastal provinces. Maritime and coastal wind warnings were declared for the North Sea coast and the Wadden Sea, with wind gusts expected to cause minor disruptions to regional ferry transit and port operations.
Météo-France issued pre-warning alerts and yellow weather advisories (vigilance jaune) for severe wind gusts and rain-flood conditions for coastal departments along the English Channel, including Pas-de-Calais, Nord, Somme, and parts of Normandy and Brittany. Offshore gale-force winds and heavy swell were forecast across the Strait of Dover, prompting maritime authorities to issue navigation warnings for shipping corridors. Météo-France issued official severe weather warnings across Northern France, placing northwestern coastal and inland departments under orange weather advisories (vigilance orange) for violent winds, heavy rain, and coastal flooding linked to the storm's arrival. Forecast models indicated sustained gale-force winds with inland gusts reaching 100–110 km/h (62–68 mph) and coastal peak gusts exceeding 130–150 km/h (80–93 mph) across exposed headlands in Normandy, Brittany, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, and Somme.
Impacts
As Storm Austen crossed the English Channel on 22–23 October, it brought severe gale-force to storm-force wind gusts and heavy rainfall to the Channel Islands and South West England. A top wind gust of 111 mph (179 km/h) was recorded at Padstow, Cornwall by the National Coastguard Institution. At Jersey Airport, peak wind gusts of 84 mph (135 km/h) were recorded as the storm's core passed overhead. Due to the impending severe weather and Red Wind Warnings issued by local meteorological services, all schools and colleges across Jersey and Guernsey were closed on 23 October as a safety precaution. In South West England, severe gales damaged overhead power infrastructure, leaving over 9,000 homes without electricity at the peak of the storm.
In Ireland, on the night of 22–23 October with heavy rainfall and localized gale-force gusts, with peak gusts reaching 106 km/h (66 mph) at Roche's Point in County Cork. Up to 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain fell overnight in parts of Southern Ireland, causing widespread surface water accumulation and localized flooding. In County Cork and County Waterford, local authorities received reports of over 40 fallen trees and scattered debris overnight, resulting in temporary road closures along the N25 and key regional routes. Downed trees damaged streetlights and power distribution lines in Dunmore East and Colligan Woods. ESB Networks reported that approximately 3,000 homes, farms, and businesses suffered power outages across Ireland, including over 1,500 customers in Cork city and county, as well as widespread outages across Waterford city and county.
For France on 22–23 October, it brought severe gale-force to storm-force wind gusts, high seas, and heavy rain across northwestern departments, placing up to 23 departments under Orange weather advisories (vigilance orange). Power distribution network operator Enedis reported that nearly 300,000 homes lost electricity at the peak of the storm, with Brittany suffering the most extensive damage at approximately 128,000 customer outages, followed by Normandy with nearly 89,000, Pays de la Loire with around 50,000, and Hauts-de-France with roughly 8,000. Over 2,000 technicians were mobilized to restore grid connectivity. Cross-Channel maritime transit was heavily curtailed, with ferry services connecting France and England suspended throughout Friday morning due to heavy swell and dangerous gales, while Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed that regional rail line operations (TER) and major road corridors faced severe interruptions across Normandy, Brittany, Hauts-de-France, and the Île-de-France region due to fallen trees and debris. In the Finistère department, local authorities established an emergency crisis response center at the prefecture as firefighters carried out over 150 interventions overnight to clear fallen trees, repair damaged roofs, and address minor surface flooding, with damage to trees amplified by heavy late-season foliage offering high wind resistance.

Storm Boelo (Manja)

Naming and warnings
Storm Boelo was officially named on 22 October 2026 by the Met Office, marking the second named storm of the 2026–2027 Western Group windstorm season.
It was also known as Manja in Germany by Free University of Berlin.
Following closely on the heels of Storm Austen, the Met Office designated Storm Boelo as a fast-developing autumn gale system capable of producing widespread disruptive weather. Forecasters warned that while Storm Austen targeted southern regions, Boelo would impact the opposite end of the UK, bringing heavy rainfall, mountain snow over higher ground in Scotland, and widespread wind gusts reaching 80–95 km/h (50–60 mph) inland, with peak gusts of 110–130 km/h (70–80 mph) across exposed coastal areas and high ground. Yellow weather warnings for wind and rain were issued ahead of the weekend to prepare populations across Scotland and Northern Ireland for potential travel disruption and localised flooding. On 23 October, as confidence in significant impacts increased, the Met Office upgraded severe weather alerts to an Amber wind warning across western and central Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and northern England, highlighting a potential "danger to life" from flying debris, power outages, and widespread travel disruption.
As Storm Boelo approached Ireland on 23 October, Met Éireann issued severe weather advisories and elevated national warning levels across multiple western and northern counties. A Status Orange rain warning was declared for County Kerry from 07:00 to 14:00 IST on 24 October, with forecasters warning of intense rainfall causing river and surface flooding, hazardous driving conditions, and potential damage to homes and businesses. Concurrently, Met Éireann issued **Status Orange** wind warnings for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, and Sligo, valid from 14:00 IST on 24 October through 09:00 IST on 25 October. The forecaster warned of gale-force westerly winds with severe, damaging gusts capable of causing structural damage, power outages, fallen trees, and coastal flooding along exposed Atlantic shores. Widespread Status Yellow wind and rain warnings were also enacted across Connacht, Clare, Cork, and Limerick. Off the coast, Met Éireann declared a Status Orange Marine Storm Warning from Erris Head to Bloody Foreland to Belfast Lough for west to northwest winds expected to reach storm force 10.
Impacts
As Storm Boelo swept across the northern United Kingdom and Ireland from 24 to 25 October 2026, it caused widespread disruptions, transport cancellations, property damage, and power distribution failures. The storm struck regions where ground conditions were already heavily saturated following Storm Austen only days earlier.
In Scotland, a top wind gust of 111.8 mph (179.9 km/h) was recorded at Loch Pityoulish in Inverness-shire, with a gust of 124 mph (200 km/h) recorded at 1,234 m (4,049 ft) on Cairngorm. The highest gust on the Met Office network was 85 mph (137 km/h) at Machrihanish. Two men also had died in a three way car crash near Bathgate. Public transport networks experienced severe preemptive and operational disruptions. Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail suspended train services across multiple key routes—including the Far North Line, West Highland Line (Oban and Mallaig branches), Kyle of Lochalsh line, and services south of Kilwinning toward Stranraer and Ayr—while implementing network-wide speed restrictions on operational lines to prevent derailment risks from fallen trees and blown debris. With peak intensity coinciding with high tide during a full moon, a significant storm surge was recorded along the west coast of Scotland, resulting in widespread damage. Much of the town centre in Largs was left underwater overnight, as waters rose to the highest level there for over 26 years; storm surge damage was also reported further along the coast in Gourock and in Skelmorlie. CalMac ferry services were heavily impacted, with dozens of sailings cancelled or delayed across the Western Isles and inner islands due to rough seas and violent coastal gusts. Road traffic faced restrictions on major structures, including speed limitations and high-sided vehicle bans on the Skye Bridge, Tay Road Bridge, and Forth Road Bridge. High winds uprooted trees across Scotland and Northern Ireland, causing power line damage, blocking roadways, and forcing the cancellation of major public events, including outdoor Halloween celebrations at Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock. A 60-year-old man in Dumfries and Galloway was killed by a falling tree.
In Ireland, strong gales and intense rainfall caused localised river and surface water flooding across western counties, particularly in Kerry, Clare, and Galway. Downed trees and wind-borne debris severed overhead power lines, leaving thousands of ESB Networks customers without electricity across Connacht and Ulster, while high spring tides combined with onshore storm gales produced wave overtopping along exposed Atlantic harbours and coastal promenades.

Season effects

Summary
The following table lists all the windstorms that have been named by at least one of the European meteorological naming groups, as well as those with names assigned by the Free University of Berlin (FUB). The table includes the storm's duration, peak intensity, and its socio-economic impact across affected countries.

See also
Weather of: 2026, 2027
Tropical cyclones in: 2026, 2027
2026-27 North American winter
2026-27 Asian winter
List of historical European windstorm names

References