Why do we name storms? And could climate change be making them worse?

By Alice Lipscombe-Southwell

Published: Friday, 24 February 2023 at 12:00 am


Instant Genius is a bite-sized masterclass in podcast form. And in this episode we’re talking about the UK’s winter storms.

Storm Otto caused havoc across Scotland last week. Yet it was unusual in that it was the first named storm to hit our shores this autumn and winter.

Alex Deakin, a weather forecaster and meteorologist for the Met Office, reveals why we had such calm conditions this winter, why we name storms, and whether climate change could make storms worse.