Britain's Soaked Start to the Year: Will the Rain Ever Stop?
Feeling like you've been living under a permanent grey cloud? You're not alone. Cardinham in Cornwall has seen rain every single day so far this year – a truly soggy start to 2026. And it's not just Cornwall feeling the brunt. Katesbridge in County Down and Aboyne in Aberdeenshire have been drenched, receiving nearly four times their usual January rainfall. Aboyne, in particular, is already drowning in more than double its February average, and we're not even halfway through the month!
But here's where it gets controversial: While this winter has been relentlessly wet, it's unlikely to surpass the record-breaking deluge of 2013-14. Remember the dramatic images of the railway line at Dawlish hanging precariously after storms demolished the sea wall? History seems to be repeating itself, with another section of the sea wall collapsing this winter, causing disruptions.
So, what's behind this watery onslaught? Meteorologists point to a stubborn area of high pressure camped out over Scandinavia since mid-January. This meteorological roadblock has trapped low-pressure systems over the UK, slowing their movement and bringing relentless rain, particularly to the south and east. And this is the part most people miss: It hasn't been a washout everywhere. North-west England and western Scotland have actually enjoyed a drier-than-average January, with some parts of the Highlands recording a mere 1mm of rain so far in February.
The good news? The Scandinavian high-pressure system is finally showing signs of shifting this week, paving the way for colder temperatures and even some hill snow in the north. Next week, we can expect a return to more typical winter weather patterns, with the Atlantic jet stream resuming its usual position over the northwest of Scotland.
While rain will still be a feature of our winter landscape, the heaviest downpours will shift back to western Scotland, with eastern Scotland experiencing less extreme conditions. In the southwest of England, the constant drizzle will give way to a mix of drier, sunnier days interspersed with rain showers.
Looking further ahead, there's a glimmer of hope for a drier end to February, with hints of high pressure bringing more settled weather. After weeks of relentless rain, it's the least we deserve!
What do you think? Is this unusually wet weather a sign of things to come, or just a temporary blip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
