Storm Jocelyn is set to follow closely on the heels of Storm Isha, marking a particularly active storm season for the UK and Ireland, the most intense on record.
Met Éireann has officially named Storm Jocelyn, which is expected to bring severe winds and heavy rainfall to the UK on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This storm season commenced with Agnes in late September, which unleashed heavy rain and winds reaching 70mph. It was succeeded by storms Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus, Gerrit, Henk, and Isha.
Jocelyn will be the second named storm in just 36 hours, a quick succession that, while not unusual, is notable for the sheer number of storms this early in the season, according to Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Intense jet stream activity fuels the rapid succession of named storms this season.Bentley pointed out that while the rapid naming of storms isn’t unprecedented, the overall frequency of named storms so far is. Jocelyn will be the tenth named storm of the season, a rare occurrence for this time of year.
The increased storm activity is largely attributed to the jet stream—a high-altitude wind band that, when active, drives low-pressure systems across the Atlantic.
Factors like the recent severe cold in the US, which has intensified temperature gradients, contribute to the jet stream’s increased activity. Although climate change is influencing weather patterns, its exact impact on this year’s storms remains unclear.
However, a warmer climate allows the atmosphere to hold more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall and heightened flood risks.
Storm naming in the UK and Ireland began in 2015 to enhance communication about significant weather events. This year’s names include figures from science and meteorology, such as Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, after whom Jocelyn is named.
Public suggestions also play a role; Isha, for instance, was proposed by a member of the public. Future names can be suggested by emailing [email protected].