UK Weather: A Soaking Start to the Year and No End in Sight
The UK's wettest winter since records began has left many areas under water, and the deluge shows no signs of stopping.
If you've felt like you've been living in a perpetual downpour, you're not imagining things. Cardinham in Cornwall has experienced rain on every single day of 2026 so far. And it's not just Cornwall; Katesbridge and Aboyne have seen nearly four times their average January rainfall, and February is shaping up to be just as soggy.
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that this winter's rainfall pales in comparison to the record-breaking winter of 2013-14. However, the data tells a different story. In the southwest England and South Wales region, the Met Office recorded a staggering 691mm of rain during that winter, resulting in severe and widespread flooding. With only two months accounted for, this year's total already stands at 415mm, and it's showing no signs of slowing down.
One parallel between these two winters is the damage inflicted on the main railway line at Dawlish, which connects southwest England to the rest of the network. In February 2014, storms washed away the protective sea wall, leaving the track dangerously exposed. This winter has seen a similar collapse, causing disruptions and raising concerns about the resilience of our infrastructure.
So, why has it been so wet? The culprit is a persistent high-pressure system that formed over Scandinavia around mid-January. This blocking system has prevented low-pressure areas from moving beyond the UK, resulting in slow-moving, wet weather patterns. The south-westerly winds in the south and south-easterly winds in the north have contributed to the uneven distribution of rain across the country.
It's important to note that not all areas have been equally affected. Northwest England and west Scotland experienced a much drier January than usual, with some parts of the Highlands recording a mere 1mm of rain so far this month.
And this is the part most people miss... The Scandinavian high-pressure system is finally showing signs of shifting this week, allowing for a colder weather pattern with some hill snow in the north. Next week, we can expect more typical weather for this time of year, with the Atlantic jet stream returning to its usual position near Scotland. While rain will still be a feature, the wettest weather will be confined to west Scotland, with east Scotland and the southwest of England enjoying drier and sunnier spells between weather systems.
As we approach the end of February, there are hints of an area of high pressure visiting our shores, bringing more settled weather conditions. It's a welcome prospect after weeks of dreary, wet weather. Let's hope this trend continues and provides some much-needed relief to those affected by the relentless rain.
