How many days has it rained in 2026 in the UK?

UK rainy days 2026: Record-breaking 40-day streak and extreme rainfall

As of mid-February 2026, the answer to 'how many days has it rained in 2026 in the UK' is that it has rained somewhere in the UK every single day since the start of the year, with some locations in Devon and Cornwall recording over 40 consecutive days of rain. January was exceptionally wet, with Northern Ireland seeing its wettest in 149 years and southern England experiencing 74% above average rainfall.

How Many Days Has It Rained in the UK in 2026 So Far?

As of mid-February 2026, how many days has it rained in 2026 in the UK? It has rained somewhere in the UK every single day since the start of the year, marking over 40 consecutive days of measurable rainfall. Some locations, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, have experienced rain on every single day of 2026, with certain stations logging 40 or more successive wet days through early February. This relentless pattern has made the opening weeks of 2026 exceptionally wet, with January becoming one of the wettest on record for several regions.

The 40-Day Rainfall Streak: Where It Rained Every Day

The persistence of the wet weather is best measured by consecutive wet days – days with at least 1mm of rainfall. From late December 2025 into early February 2026, several observing sites recorded runs of 37 or more successive days with rain. The most notable examples come from southwest England: North Wyke in Devon logged 40 consecutive wet days from 31 December 2025 to 8 February 2026. Cardinham in Cornwall matched that 40-day run over the same period, as did Astwood Bank in Hereford and Worcester (citation:2).

In Northern Ireland, the situation was even more extreme. The country experienced its wettest January in 149 years, with rainfall 70% above the long-term average. ^[1] County Down recorded its wettest January on record, and Katesbridge in County Down saw a staggering 100.8mm of rain in a single day during Storm Chandra – far surpassing its previous daily record of 38.2mm from 2005 (citation:7).

How Much Rain Has Fallen Across the UK in 2026?

Rainfall totals across the UK have been significantly above average, though with stark regional contrasts. For January 2026 overall, the UK recorded 17% more rainfall than the long-term meteorological average. However, this national figure masks huge variation: Northern Ireland saw 70% more rain than its January average, England recorded 50% more, and southern England specifically saw a 74% increase – making it the sixth wettest January on record for that region (citation:7).

The pattern continued into February. Met Office figures up to 8 February showed that England had already received 59% of its average February rainfall, with southern England reaching 72% of its monthly average. The UK as a whole had seen 37% of its average February rainfall by the second week (citation:2). By the end of the month, the disparity was even clearer: England finished February with 70% above its monthly average, while Scotland actually recorded 17% below average (^[4] citation:5).

Which Regions Were Hit Hardest?

The wet weather has not been evenly distributed. Southwest England and South Wales bore the brunt of the persistent rain, with February totals reaching 173.7mm – 166% of the long-term average. ^[6] In January, Cornwall recorded its wettest month on record, and Devon, Dorset, and Hampshire all saw their second wettest January since 1836 (citation:5)(citation:7).

The South-east of England also experienced exceptional rainfall, with January totals reaching 192% of the long-term average. This was driven by three named storms – Goretti (8 January), Ingrid (24 January), and Chandra (26 January) – which combined to account for around 40% of the months total rainfall. Over half of the areal units in the South-east had their wettest January since 2014 (citation:4).

In contrast, parts of Scotland remained surprisingly dry. While eastern Scotland saw 48% more rainfall than average in January, northern and western Scotland recorded below-average totals. By February, Scotland as a whole was 17% below its monthly average – a dramatic north-south divide that defined the winter of 2026 (citation:5)(citation:7).

What Caused the Relentless Rain?

Meteorologists point to an unusually strong and southerly jet stream as the primary culprit. This powerful airflow has been steering a succession of low-pressure systems directly towards the UK from the Atlantic, with cold plunges of air across North America strengthening the temperature gradient and energising the jet stream. At the same time, a blocking high over northern Europe has prevented weather fronts from clearing, causing them to stall repeatedly over the country (citation:2)(citation:8).

The result has been continuous waves of rain, strong winds, and saturated ground across large parts of the UK. Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong described the situation as relentlessly wet, noting that daily rainfall records fell at multiple stations – including Plymouth, Hurn in Dorset, and Dunkeswell in Devon – during January (citation:2)(citation:8).

Flooding and Infrastructure Impact

The persistent rainfall has led to widespread flooding and significant infrastructure strain. By mid-February, the Environment Agency had more than 100 flood warnings in effect across England, with a total of 213 fluvial flood alerts and 43 fluvial flood warnings issued across the South-east during January alone (citation:1)(citation:4).

In Somerset, approximately 29 square miles of the Levels and Moors were flooded, prompting the deployment of 28 ultra-high volume pumps to help drain water. The Environment Agency estimated that 355 properties had been flooded by February, though a further 24,500 were protected by flood defences. The Thames Barrier was closed on 19 February due to high tides, and temporary barriers were deployed along the Severn and Thames (citation:6).

When Will It Finally Stop Raining?

The answer to how long has it been raining in the UK in 2026 – and its one millions of Britons have been asking – is complicated. The Met Office warned in mid-February that there was no sign of any prolonged dry weather for the next seven to 10 days, with forecasters expecting further bands of heavy rain to sweep across much of the country (citation:1)(citation:3).

A brief respite did arrive in late February, with colder but brighter conditions settling in for several days. However, the reprieve was short-lived. By early March, the Met Office confirmed that unsettled weather was expected to persist until at least mid-March, with the focus for the wettest conditions shifting to western hills – though even moderate rainfall now carries a higher risk of impacts given the saturated ground (citation:5)(citation:6).

Winter 2026 in Context: Records and Contrasts

When all the data is compiled, the winter of 2025-26 will be remembered as one of extremes. The UK experienced one of its wettest winters on record, with England recording 42% above its average winter rainfall and Northern Ireland 27% above. Several counties – including the West Midlands, Cornwall, and Leicestershire – recorded their wettest winter on record, with others like Dorset and Warwickshire ranking second (citation:5).

Yet the season was also notable for its contrasts. While southern England was drenched, parts of northern and western Scotland were markedly drier than average – an unusual reversal of the typical pattern. Meanwhile, sunshine levels hit record lows: February 2026 was the fourth dullest on record for the UK, and Wales recorded its dullest February ever (citation:5).

What This Means for the Rest of 2026

The saturated ground and high river levels will have lingering effects well beyond the immediate forecast. Groundwater levels across the South-east rose significantly during January, with some sites recording their highest January levels in decades. This means that even average rainfall in the coming months could trigger renewed flooding, as the soil is already at capacity (citation:4).

The Environment Agency has warned communities to remain vigilant, noting that the unsettled pattern could persist into spring. With over 40 consecutive days of rain already recorded in some areas, 2026 has already earned a place in the weather record books – and the year is only two months old (citation:6).

Regional Rainfall Comparison: Who Got the Most Rain?

Southwest England & South Wales

• 173.7mm – 166% of average, highest in the UK

• 40+ days at North Wyke, Cardinham, and Astwood Bank

• Cornwall recorded its wettest January on record; Devon, Dorset among top two wettest

• Somerset Levels: 29 sq miles flooded; 28 high-volume pumps deployed

South-east England

• 114.4mm – 188% of average

• Three storms in January (Goretti, Ingrid, Chandra) drove 40% of month's total

• 192% of long-term average – wettest since 2014

• 369.1mm – 157% of average

Northern Ireland

• 100.8mm in 24 hours at Katesbridge during Storm Chandra

• County Down: wettest January on record

• 70% above average – wettest January in 149 years

• 27% above average – ninth wettest winter on record

Scotland (Northern & Western)

• 17% below average – notably dry contrast to England

• Northern Scotland: 66% of Feb average; Western: 82%

• Below average – 87% of LTA for Scotland overall

• 14% below average – the only UK region with below-average rainfall

Life in Cornwall: 40 Days of Rain

Jane, a dairy farmer near Bodmin in Cornwall, started 2026 with optimism. By 8 January, the fields were already waterlogged. By the third week, her wellies never came off. "I've farmed here for 25 years, and I've never seen anything like this," she recalls. The cows were confined to barns for weeks, and feed delivery routes became impassable.

The first attempt to drain the lower fields failed. The small pump she'd used for years couldn't keep up with the relentless inflow. Water pooled in the yard, then crept toward the milking parlour. Jane spent nights checking the levels, exhausted but unable to sleep through the sound of rain on the roof.

The breakthrough came when local farmers pooled resources. They borrowed a high-capacity pump from a neighbour and worked together to clear drainage ditches across three farms. "We realised fighting alone wasn't working," Jane says. "The community pulled together."

By mid-February, after 40 consecutive days of rain, the water finally receded. Jane lost three weeks of grazing and had to buy extra feed – but her parlour stayed dry. The experience, she says, taught her that preparation matters, but community matters more.