The article summarises the Met Office’s assessment that an exceptionally wet start to 2026 marks climate change as a current reality in the UK. It describes record rainfall across south‑west England, widespread flooding, disruptions to rail networks, and damage to coastal defences, alongside climate attribution science linking warmer conditions to heavier storms and wetter winters.
The piece highlights specific events, including the A379 collapse in Devon. The River Otter reached its highest level during Storm Chandra, and Cornwall experienced record‑breaking winter rainfall.
What happened in early 2026
Record rainfall drenched south‑west England, triggering widespread flooding and disrupting transport. Coastal protections were damaged.
The A379 between Slapton and Torcross in Devon partially collapsed due to storm‑driven coastal damage. This underscored how extreme weather can threaten infrastructure.
During Storm Chandra, the River Otter in East Devon reached its highest recorded level. Cornwall experienced its wettest winter on record.
Forecasters and climate scientists emphasise that these events are part of a larger, climate‑linked pattern. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which means incoming storm systems can carry greater amounts of rain.
This contributes to heavier downpours and prolonged wet spells.
Understanding the climate signal
Dr Mark McCarthy, the Met Office’s Climate Attribution Science Manager, explained that human‑induced climate change is expected to produce wetter winters in the UK. This season’s weather reflects that trajectory.
The warming climate increases atmospheric moisture, providing more fuel for storms that deliver substantial rainfall totals. Attribution science helps connect the dots between global warming and the regional extremes observed in early 2026.
The rapid succession of intense storms amplified the cumulative impacts on communities and infrastructure. Exposure to repeated heavy rainfall can escalate flood risk and pressure drainage systems.
Coastal defences can be strained beyond conventional design expectations.
Record-breaking rainfall and data highlights
The Met Office reported several records broken or tied during this period, demonstrating the unusual intensity of the storms across the southwest. These data points are crucial for understanding regional risk.
The season’s extreme rainfall has prompted renewed attention to how we monitor, prepare for, and respond to heavy precipitation events in the UK.
Key metrics from the Met Office data
- Whitebarrow in Devon logged 115.1 mm of rain on its wettest January day, underscoring the exceptional intensity of the January downpour
- Four south‑west weather stations recorded their wettest January day on record
- Cornwall experienced its wettest winter on record
- During Storm Chandra, the River Otter reached its highest level on record
What this means for the future
These observations have important implications for risk management, urban planning, and climate resilience in the UK. The combination of record rainfall, damaged coastal infrastructure, and stressed drainage systems indicates a urgent need to rethink how communities prepare for and cope with wetter winters and more frequent extreme storms.
As the climate continues to warm, the likelihood of heavy precipitation events is expected to remain elevated in the UK. This has practical consequences for flood defence investment, land use, and emergency response planning.
All of these must be intensified to protect lives, homes, and critical infrastructure.
Policy and community actions
- Invest in resilient flood defences and upgraded drainage systems to cope with higher rainfall intensities.
- Enhance coastal protection and restoration efforts to mitigate storm surge and coastal erosion risks.
- Strengthen early‑warning systems and public preparedness to reduce harm during extreme weather events.
- Integrate climate attribution findings into planning and risk communication for local authorities and utilities.
Here is the source article for this story: Met Office says wettest winter ‘stark reminder’ of climate change