Wettest winter on record for parts of the UK, says Met Office
The Met Office reports that parts of the UK have experienced their wettest winter on record, with southern and central England particularly affected.
According to the Met Office, the winter of 2025-2026 has been the wettest on record for parts of the UK, with Cornwall, Leicestershire, and the West Midlands receiving unprecedented levels of rainfall since records began in 1836. In southern England, the rainfall was 42% above the normal average, contributing to significant regional discrepancies in weather across the country. The overall rainfall in the UK was measured at 390.1mm, which, while markedly high, still falls short of the all-time record of 539.9mm set in 2014.
The report highlights that southern and central England bore the brunt of the wet weather, which can have multiple implications for agriculture, local infrastructure, and long-term weather patterns. The findings indicate that while certain areas faced extreme wetness, Scotland concluded the winter with less precipitation, showcasing the variability of weather within the UK. The higher rainfall levels can lead to concerns regarding flooding, crop damage, and strain on drainage systems across the most affected regions.
This event is particularly significant as it may indicate a trend associated with climate change, with more extreme weather patterns being recorded. As the Met Office continues to analyze weather data, understanding the causes and potential patterns in rainfall may help regions prepare for similar weather phenomena in the future and address the challenges posed by climate change effectively.