Cornwall experiences record-setting rainfall in wet start to 2026
Persistent rain leads to record-breaking totals across the UK
The Met Office have said that the opening weeks of 2026 have brought exceptional rainfall across the UK, driven by an unusually southerly jet stream.
Cornwall, County Down in Northern Ireland, and eastern Scotland have set records for their wettest January ever, while 26 weather stations across the UK reported their highest January rainfall.
Continuing into February, the Met Office reports that, by the 8th, the UK has already seen 37% of February's average rain, with southern England, including Cornwall, reaching 72%.
From late December to early February, several sites, including Cardinham in Bodmin and Camborne in Cornwall, recorded 40 consecutive wet days, reflecting how rain persisted across the country.
Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong highlighted how the strong jet stream from North America drove low-pressure systems towards the UK, leading to saturated ground across many regions and broken rainfall records in places like Plymouth.
The UK has already seen significant portions of its typical winter rainfall by early February, with England exceeding its seasonal average. Full provisional statistics from the Met Office will be released on 2nd March.