File-Breaking Rainfall Sweeps Throughout Britain
January 2026 marked one of many wettest begins to a 12 months in UK historical past, with meteorological information revealing rainfall volumes 17% larger than long-term averages. Persistent Atlantic climate methods drove the unprecedented precipitation, significantly affecting southern areas and Northern Eire.
Regional Rainfall Disparities
Northern Eire skilled its wettest January in 149 years, recording 70% extra rain than typical seasonal ranges. England noticed a 50% total improve, although southern counties bore the brunt with 74% above-average rainfall. Cornwall and County Down broke historic data, whereas seven different counties recorded their second-wettest January since 1836.
A transparent north-south divide emerged in England, with northern areas receiving solely 10% extra precipitation than common. Scotland conversely recorded below-average rainfall throughout the identical interval.
Excessive Climate Occasions
Probably the most dramatic single-day rainfall occurred on January 26 throughout Storm Chandra, when Katesbridge in County Down registered 100.8mm – almost triple its earlier each day report. A number of climate stations throughout Devon, Dorset, and Cornwall additionally shattered native precipitation data.
Temperature Tendencies and Local weather Context
Regardless of transient mid-month warming, January temperatures averaged 0.5°C beneath seasonal norms. This follows affirmation that 2025 ranked as Britain’s hottest 12 months on report, with annual temperatures 0.96°C above historic averages. Latest years have seen a number of temperature data damaged, with 2022, 2023, and 2025 now constituting the three warmest years since 1884.
Scientific Evaluation of Climate Patterns
Dr. Amy Doherty, a meteorological scientist, defined: ‘A strong jet stream repeatedly funneled low-pressure methods throughout the UK. The fixed saturation left soils unable to soak up additional moisture, amplifying the affect of subsequent rainfall occasions.’
Local weather specialists word these patterns align with broader environmental adjustments. ‘Whereas not yearly will break data, the pattern towards hotter circumstances displays human-induced local weather impacts,’ acknowledged Dr. Mark McCarthy, a local weather evaluation skilled. ‘Our observations and modeling constantly present international warming’s affect on UK climate methods.’
