Are you tired of the relentless rain? It seems like the UK has been drowning in downpours, and there’s no end in sight. But here’s where it gets even more concerning: forecasters warn that the wet weather is here to stay, at least for now. Despite Britain being drenched every single day in 2026, the Met Office isn’t offering much hope for a dry spell anytime soon.
A yellow rain warning is currently in place for the West Midlands, parts of southern England, and Wales, lasting until 9 pm on Friday. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience—homes and businesses are at risk of flooding, power supplies could be disrupted, and surface water flooding is almost inevitable due to the already saturated ground. And this is the part most people miss: South West England and South Wales have already seen 50% more rainfall than usual for January, with rain falling every single day of the year so far.
To put it in perspective, England received a staggering 150% of its long-term average rainfall last month, according to the Environment Agency (EA). The South West region, in particular, was hit even harder, recording 184% of its long-term average rainfall in January. And it’s not slowing down—in just the first three days of February, the South East has already seen 32% of its long-term average rainfall for the entire month. Rainfall totals for the week ending February 3rd ranged from 13mm in eastern England to a whopping 43mm in the South West.
But here’s the controversial part: While some might see this as just another rainy season, others are questioning whether this is a sign of larger climate shifts. Is this the new normal, or just an unusually wet year? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Looking ahead, forecasters predict that the rain will continue daily in many areas through Sunday. Dan Stroud, an operational meteorologist with the Met Office, summed it up bluntly: ‘Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight.’ Another band of rain is set to move northward across the South West on Friday, bringing heavy bursts. Saturday will see more of the same, with intense showers hitting the south in the morning before spreading into Wales and the Midlands. By Sunday, yet another band of rain is expected to arrive in the southern and western parts of the UK, though other areas might catch a slight break.
Northern Ireland is also under a yellow rain warning until midnight on Friday, while Scotland’s eastern regions, including Aberdeen, will remain under persistent cloud cover and rain. Interestingly, parts of East Anglia, the South East, and even western Scotland might see some rare brightness on Saturday—a welcome change after Aberdeen’s record-breaking two weeks without sunshine, the longest such stretch since records began in 1957.
So, what’s causing this endless rain? According to Mr. Stroud, it’s all down to a large area of high pressure far to the north and east of the UK, blocking low-pressure systems from moving through. Until that shifts, we’re stuck with this wet forecast. Adding to the mix, the jet stream is positioned unusually far south, bringing exceptionally wet weather to Spain and Portugal as well.
The yellow warning for South West England and parts of Wales predicts up to 50mm of rain in higher areas, with widespread downpours of 30mm. Northern Ireland could see even more, with up to 80mm in elevated regions, though most places are expected to get around 20mm.
Is this just a passing phase, or a sign of what’s to come? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your take on this soggy situation.
