Public to vote on which Wallace and Gromit character will be storm name

Fans of Wallace and Gromit can choose which character should have their name given to a future storm.

The Met Office is linking up with Aardman animation studio to choose a name to add to the weather agency's official storm names list for the 2026/27 season.

Aardman, which produced the Wallace and Gromit franchise, celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

Weather watchers and film fans are being asked to decide between two Aardman creations - Shaun The Sheep and his cousin, a lamb called Timmy.

The public vote on the Met Office's social media channels runs until Friday with the winner being announced on 1 September.

Despite the vote, it is still possible there may not be a storm Shaun or Timmy in the coming season.

This is because storms are named alphabetically each season and the furthest the Met Office has ever reached is L, with Storm Lilian in August 2024.

However, it is hoped the vote will "engage new audiences" and help people understand the "risks" of severe weather.

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Holly Clements, the Met Office's head of warnings and guidance, said: "Naming storms helps our weather warnings reach more people and encourages the public to take notice when severe weather is approaching.

"This collaboration with Aardman gives us a fantastic opportunity to engage new audiences and explain why storm naming matters, helping people understand the risks severe weather can bring and the actions they can take to stay safe."

The Met Office started naming storms in 2015 and works with colleagues in Ireland and the Netherlands to develop the annual list.

Last year, more than 50,000 suggestions were submitted, with Stormy McStormFace, Dame Judi Drench and David Blowy among some of the names which did not make the cut.

Only 21 were chosen and they were all public suggestions - named after loved ones and pets including Amy, Dave, Stevie and Violet.

(c) Sky News 2026: Public to vote on which Wallace and Gromit character will be storm name