An exceptional volume of rainfall has resulted in January 2026 being recorded as one of the wettest months on record for many regions across the United Kingdom, according to newly released provisional figures from the Met Office. The persistent Atlantic weather patterns delivered relentless downpours, leading to significant flooding and widespread travel disruptions throughout the country.
Record Rainfall Totals Across the UK
Northern Ireland experienced a staggering 70% more rainfall than the long-term average for January, with a total of 195.6mm recorded. This makes it the wettest January since 1877, when 197.1mm was measured, and the second wettest since comparable records began in 1836. The intensity of the rainfall was particularly notable, with some areas seeing unprecedented daily totals.
In southern England, rainfall was 74% above the typical average for the month, with 136.8mm falling. This ranks as the sixth wettest January on record for the region. England as a whole saw 50% more rainfall than average, with 124.2mm, placing it as the 15th wettest January in recorded history.
Localised Records Shattered
At a county level, Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland both endured their wettest January on record. The relentless nature of the weather systems meant that even moderate rainfall had a heightened impact due to already saturated ground conditions.
Storm Chandra, which struck on January 26, was particularly devastating. It delivered enough rain to see several sites record their highest ever daily rainfall for January. Katesbridge in County Down measured an astonishing 100.8mm, easily surpassing the previous site record of 38.2mm set in January 2005.
On the same day, multiple locations across England also exceeded their previous daily rainfall records for the month. Cardinham in Cornwall, Hurn in Dorset, and both Dunkeswell Aerodrome and Plymouth Mountbatten in Devon all recorded unprecedented rainfall levels, contributing to the overall exceptional totals.
Atlantic Weather Patterns to Blame
Met Office science manager Dr Amy Doherty explained the meteorological drivers behind the exceptionally wet conditions. "January has been exceptionally wet because we've seen a very persistent Atlantic weather pattern," she stated. "A strong jet stream has repeatedly steered low-pressure systems towards the UK, bringing frequent spells of rain and wind."
Dr Doherty further noted that the succession of Atlantic systems left little opportunity for drier conditions in between, leading to saturated ground. This meant that even moderate rainfall events had a greater impact, exacerbating flooding and travel issues. The month saw a string of low-pressure weather systems move across the UK from the Atlantic, with repeated outbreaks of wet and windy conditions.
Impact of Named Storms
Three named storms – Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra – all contributed to the downpours across many areas. These storms not only brought heavy rainfall but also led to significant flooding and widespread travel disruption. The cumulative effect of these weather events has made January 2026 a month of notable climatic extremes.
The flooding aftermath was visibly evident in locations such as St Ives in Cambridgeshire, where the River Great Ouse burst its banks following Storm Chandra, highlighting the severe impact of the relentless rainfall on communities and infrastructure.
