The skies over England have been relentlessly pouring down, leading to a significant number of flood warnings and alerts. After days of heavy rain, authorities have issued 85 flood warnings and 234 alerts across the country as of Saturday evening. Most warnings have been concentrated in the south-west and the Midlands, areas that have been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing deluge.

While Scotland has seen only one flood warning and Wales none, the situation in England is more severe. The Met Office reported that since the beginning of 2026, regions like south-west England and South Wales have experienced rainfall levels 50% above their usual amounts. This persistent rain is part of a troubling pattern that has been affecting the UK since January.

In January alone, the UK was buffeted by a series of three named storms, which brought heavy rain, fierce winds, and widespread disruption. Areas such as Devon, Hampshire, and the corridor between Gloucester and Worcester are currently bearing the brunt of the flood warnings. Meanwhile, more than 230 flood alerts are in effect throughout much of England, sparing only the far north and East Anglia.

The Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a stark warning, stating that flooding is "imminent" due to the "heavy prolonged rainfall" that has caused levels at the River Dene to surge. The rain is expected to persist over the weekend and into the early part of the week, raising concerns about further flooding and potential damage.

January was notably wet for Northern Ireland, marking its wettest in 149 years. County Down and Cornwall also recorded their wettest January on record, a trend that has continued into February with similarly intense rainfall. Provisional data from the Met Office suggests that some parts of the UK have already surpassed their average monthly rainfall totals for February within the first five days alone.

Particularly affected is Aberdeenshire, where Aboyne has received over 130% of its typical February rainfall in just a few days. This unrelenting weather pattern has already caused significant disruption. Last week, Storm Chandra brought about flooding and impeded travel, resulting in the closure of numerous schools. Chandra was the third named storm this year, following Ingrid and Goretti, and its impact was felt nationwide.