An exceptional deluge of rainfall throughout January 2026 has resulted in one of the wettest starts to a year on record for many regions across the United Kingdom, according to newly released provisional figures from the Met Office. The persistent Atlantic weather patterns brought a relentless series of low-pressure systems, leading to significant flooding and widespread travel disruption as rivers burst their banks and communities faced repeated downpours.
Record-Breaking Rainfall Totals Across the Nation
The Met Office's data paints a stark picture of a month dominated by water. Northern Ireland experienced a staggering 70% more rainfall than its long-term average, with 195.6mm recorded. This makes it the second wettest January since comparable records began in 1836, narrowly missing the record set in 1877. Southern England was not far behind, seeing 74% more rain than typical, with 136.8mm falling—ranking as the sixth wettest January for that region. England as a whole recorded 124.2mm, which is 50% above average, marking it as the 15th wettest January on record.
Localised Records Shattered by Storm Systems
At a county level, the statistics are even more remarkable. Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland both endured their absolute wettest January since records began. Furthermore, several other counties experienced their second wettest January in history, including County Londonderry, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Angus, and Kincardineshire. The month was characterised by three named storms—Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra—which successively battered the UK with intense wet and windy conditions.
Storm Chandra, which struck on January 26th, was particularly devastating. It delivered torrential rain that caused multiple sites to break their daily rainfall records for January. Katesbridge in County Down measured an astonishing 100.8mm in a single day, shattering its previous record of 38.2mm set in January 2005. Similarly, Cardinham in Cornwall, Hurn in Dorset, Dunkeswell Aerodrome, and Plymouth Mountbatten in Devon all exceeded their previous daily rainfall highs for the month.
Expert Analysis on the Saturated Conditions
Met Office science manager, Dr Amy Doherty, provided expert insight into the meteorological causes behind the exceptional weather. "January has been exceptionally wet because we've seen a very persistent Atlantic weather pattern," she explained. "A strong jet stream has repeatedly steered low-pressure systems towards the UK, bringing frequent spells of rain and wind. With little opportunity for drier conditions in between, the ground has become saturated, so even moderate rainfall has had a greater impact. This succession of Atlantic systems is the main reason rainfall totals this month are well above average for many areas."
The cumulative effect of these storms led to severe consequences on the ground. In St Ives, Cambridgeshire, the River Great Ouse burst its banks following Storm Chandra, causing significant flooding. This event was emblematic of the widespread disruption experienced across the country, as saturated land could no longer absorb the relentless precipitation.
Temperature and Sunshine: A Contrast to the Rain
Interestingly, despite the extraordinary rainfall, no temperature records were broken or challenged during January 2026. The UK's mean temperature for the month was 3.4°C, which is slightly below the long-term average. Sunshine levels were also in line with the norm, with the UK receiving 47.7 hours of sunshine across January, matching the typical figures for this time of year. This highlights how the month's weather was uniquely defined by its precipitation rather than by extremes of cold or lack of sunlight.
The data underscores a month of historical significance for UK meteorology, where specific regions faced unprecedented rainfall leading to operational challenges for infrastructure, emergency services, and daily life. The records set in Cornwall and County Down will likely be referenced in future climate studies as indicators of changing weather patterns and increased volatility.
