Huzzah! 55 days of consecutive rain finally comes to an end in Cornwall
Cardinham had its first dry day since the end of December 2025
Last updated 24 hours ago
It's been a long winter for us all, but spare a thought for Cardinham in Cornwall which has only just has its first dry day after a remarkable streak of 55 consecutive days of rainfall.
This ended the wet spell that began on 30th December 2025 and continued well into the New Year, with the Met Office confirming the break only yesterday, on 24th February.
Despite occasional days of minimal rainfall, Cardinham had been the only weather station in Cornwall recording precipitation every day since the year's start.
This rainy period aligns with England's notably wet 2026, which has seen 59% of its average February rainfall by the 8th February, according to provisional figures.
A similar trend is observed at the Okehampton weather station in Somerset.
A wet winter
Further detailed statistics on the nation's rainfall patterns are expected later this month, however, what we do know is that it has been a pretty wet 2026.
The Met Office say atmospheric dynamics have played a significant role in the latest weather patterns, with a more energised jet stream guiding storm systems across the Atlantic and a more southerly route focusing rainfall in specific regions.
North America's early season outbreaks of freezing conditions created significant contrasts in temperatures between cold Arctic air and warmer air to the south.
This energised the jet stream, making it stronger and more active than usual.
As a result, the jet stream transported low-pressure systems efficiently across the Atlantic towards the UK, often resulting in successive bands of wind and rain.
The jet stream’s powerful influence has also shifted southward, affecting where the wettest weather has been concentrated.
With this displacement, low-pressure systems developed a semi-permanent south-easterly flow over the UK.
Consequently, moist air from surrounding seas has been steered towards regions including the Southwest of England, eastern Scotland, and the east of Northern Ireland.
According to Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Deakin: "A southerly shift in the jet stream, driven by the freezing conditions across North America, pushed low-pressure systems further south. Combined with a blocking pattern that caused these systems to stall, this set up a semi-permanent south-easterly flow into the UK."
Blocking patterns slowed weather systems
Adding to the persistent rainfall, a high-pressure block over northern Europe has acted as a weather roadblock.
Low-pressure systems slowed or stalled before reaching the UK, lingering over certain areas and causing continued rain, increasing flood risks, saturation of ground and high river levels.
Sarah Davies, Head of Environment and Energy at Met Office, comments: “Wet weather has persisted for many areas in recent weeks. It's likely to remain changeable over the next few weeks, potentially impacting sensitive regions."
The role of climate change
While natural variability and atmospheric patterns have been key factors, climate change offers critical context.
A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, resulting in heavier downpours. Climate change has already led to an increase in winter rainfall and intense storms across recent decades.
Research attributes several record-breaking rainfall events to the impact of human-induced climate change, reinforcing the trend towards wetter winters.
Looking ahead
This year’s wet winter has resulted from the combination of a powerful jet stream, altered storm tracks, and blocking patterns over Europe.
Climate change signals such patterns will become less unusual, with potential for greater numbers of storm events arriving close together.
Future UK winters may have more rainfall days and increased chances of storm systems happening in quick succession. Regional differences will persist alongside overall trends towards unsettled conditions.