The UK has experienced an “exceptionally wet” start to 2026 with record-breaking January rainfall as 98 flood warnings are in place and 300 properties flooded
The river Severn has burst its banks in Worcester. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Britain has experienced an “exceptionally wet” beginning to the year with unprecedented rainfall levels and no indication of an extended dry period for at least a week, meteorologists have confirmed.
Almost 100 locations have been issued flooding alerts for Monday as heavy rain persists, with a yellow weather warning active across much of southern Wales and England.
The Environment Agency estimates at least 300 properties have flooded thus far.
This follows a record-shattering month of precipitation, which became the wettest January on record for Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland, the Met Office reported.
The forecaster noted many feel winter has been “stuck on repeat”, with 26 of its weather stations establishing new January rainfall records.
Britain has already experienced 89% of the average rainfall anticipated for meteorological winter (December, January and February), whilst England has surpassed it by 11%, it stated.
Areas of Devon, Cornwall, Worcestershire, Somerset and West Sussex have recorded over 30 consecutive days of rainfall, whilst North Wyke in Devon, Cardinham in Cornwall, and Astwood Bank in Worcestershire have witnessed rain every single day of the year so far.
Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “The past few weeks have felt relentlessly wet, with repeated bands of rain sweeping in from the Atlantic and creating increasingly saturated ground across large parts of the UK.
A vehicle is driven through a flooded road between Quorn and Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
“This persistent unsettled pattern has been driven by a strong, south-shifted jet stream steering low pressure systems directly towards the UK.”
Flooding and travel chaos are anticipated across vast swathes of southern England and Wales on Monday, with 10-15mm of rain expected to fall widely, and up to 20-30mm possible in exposed areas, according to the Met Office.
The Environment Agency (EA) issued warnings of expected flooding in 98 areas on Monday, predominantly across the south of England, around the southern Welsh border and in the East Midlands, with potential flooding in an additional 175 areas.
New Road cricket ground home to Worcestershire County Cricket Club is flooded (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, stated: “With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.
“As well as significant groundwater remaining likely in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, there are risks of significant river flooding impacts on the Somerset Levels, with minor river flooding impacts expected in parts of the East Midlands and probable in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
“So far more than 16,000 homes and businesses have been safeguarded but sadly 300 have experienced flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected.
A flooded Worcester Racecourse following persistent rain. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
“Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away.”
Senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge stated: “The weather is set to remain unsettled throughout the remainder of the week with further spells of wet and windy weather for many areas of the UK.
“With so much rain having already fallen over parts of the UK this year, many areas are sensitive to further rainfall. Therefore, further rainfall warnings are likely as the week progresses.
“There is currently no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days.”
