Met office could name storm after Shaun the Sheep

If you are a fan of Shaun the Sheep, you could have a tricky choice to make!

The Met Office, the UK's national weather service, are asking people to decide whether to name a storm after Shaun or his cousin Timmy.

The winner of the online vote will be added to the official storm names list for 2026/27.

The contest is a collaboration with Aardman Studios and is part of the celebrations for their 50th anniversary this year.

But, it is unlikely the storm name will actually be used.

Read on to find out why...

The Met Office started giving storms names back in 2015.

They are named alphabetically each storm season which starts on 1 September.

However, the furthest the Met Office has ever made it through the alphabet is to L with Storm Lilian in August 2024.

So, it is unlikely they will reach S or T in the alphabet within the 12 months.

The weather service say that naming big weather events helps to make people more aware of them and how dangerous they can be.

They argue it also helps weather watchers follow the progress of a storm on the TV, radio, or on social media, if it has a name.

The Met Office say working with the Oscar winning animation company will engage new audiences and explain why storm naming matters.

They say it could help people "understand the risks severe weather can bring and the actions they can take to stay safe".

Amy Pearson, from Aardman, said: "Rain or shine, 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.

"Whoever you're backing, we hope the vote sparks some fun conversations about severe weather and how it can affect all of us."