‘Exceptionally wet’ start to year as 98 flood warnings issued | Weather | News
The River Severn burst its course at Worcester. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
The UK has experienced an “extraordinarily wet” start to the year with unprecedented rainfall levels, with no signs of an extended dry spell for at least a week, meteorologists have confirmed.
Flood warnings were issued in almost 100 locations on Monday as heavy rain continued and a yellow weather warning remains active across south Wales and much of England.
The Environment Agency estimates that at least 300 properties have been flooded so far.
This follows a record-breaking wet month that made it the wettest January on record for Cornwall in south-west England and County Down in Northern Ireland, the Met Office reported.
The forecaster said it felt like the winter was a “repeat” with 26 weather stations setting new January precipitation records.
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It was stated that Britain is currently experiencing 89 percent of the average rainfall expected for the meteorological winter (December, January and February), with England exceeding this by 11 percent.
The regions of Devon, Cornwall, Worcestershire, Somerset and West Sussex have recorded more than 30 consecutive days of rainfall, while North Wyke in Devon, Cardinham in Cornwall and Astwood Bank in Worcestershire have seen rain every day of the year so far.
Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “The past few weeks have felt unremittingly wet, with repeated bands of rain falling from the Atlantic creating increasingly saturated ground across much of the UK.
A vehicle drives on a flooded road between Quorn and Mountsorrel in Leicestershire. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
“This persistent and unstable pattern is driven by the strong southward shifting jet stream, which is driving low pressure systems directly towards the UK.”
According to the Met Office, 10-15mm of rain is expected to fall over large areas of southern England and Wales on Monday, with up to 20-30mm falling in open areas.
The Environment Agency (EA) warned of expected flooding in 98 areas and potential flooding in 175 areas on Monday, mainly in the south of England, around the southern border of Wales and the East Midlands.
New Road cricket ground, home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, was flooded (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Andrew Hitchings, the Environment Agency’s flood manager, said: “As another wave of rain approaches, we want the public to be aware of the risk of flooding.
“As well as being likely to retain significant groundwater in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, there is a risk of significant river flooding on the Somerset Levels; minor river flooding is expected in parts of the East Midlands and possible in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
“More than 16,000 homes and businesses have been protected so far but unfortunately 300 have experienced flooding and our thoughts are with the affected communities.
After continuous rain, Worcester Racecourse was flooded. (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
“Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people by installing pumps, temporary barriers and clearing waterways to allow flood water to drain.”
Senior operational meteorologist Simon Partridge said: “The weather will remain unstable for the remainder of the week, with wet and windy weather continuing across many parts of the UK.
“With so much rain having fallen in parts of the UK this year, many areas are vulnerable to further rainfall, so more rainfall warnings are likely to be issued as the week progresses.
“There is currently no sign of prolonged dry weather for the next 7 to 10 days.”
