A wet and windy week, but less impactful than of late
Author: Met Office
11:46 (UTC) on Wed 28 Jan 2026
Storm Chandra has now become absorbed into a mature low-pressure system to the northwest of the UK. Fog and ice will gradually clear through today, leaving some brighter spells and drier conditions for many.
However, further areas of low pressure will continue to track eastwards across the Atlantic through this week. These systems are set to slow as they encounter a blocking area of high pressure over eastern Europe, resulting in additional spells of rain, particularly in the southwest, as well as hill snow across parts of northeast Scotland.
Tonight, low cloud and fog will redevelop across many central and eastern areas, accompanied by patchy rain and some hill snow in northeast Scotland. It will be breezy in the southwest with scattered showers, while clearer intervals elsewhere may allow frost to form.
A different start to Wednesday for many, with dense fog in northeast England and icy stretches possible across much of the country ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 27, 2026
Rain confined to the far northeast, with a few showers in the far west and southwest 🌦️
Otherwise, a brighter morning with sunny spells 🌥️ pic.twitter.com/f6atQNV1rT
A Yellow Warning for rain on Thursday
Matthew Lehnert, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office said: “On Thursday, showers in southwest England will be replaced by a more organised area of rain when the next system reaches the south of Cornwall around Thursday lunchtime. There’s a Yellow Warning for rain in place from noon until Friday morning, with the focus for heavier rain across southwest England as the wet conditions spread northeast across the warning area.
“The rain is only likely to last for a few hours in each location but will be heavy at times. 10 to 15 mm is likely quite widely, but in some areas, particularly towards the south coast, a further 20 to 25 mm is possible. This rain will fall onto already saturated ground, compounding the impacts of Storm Chandra, so we’re encouraging people to stay up to date with the latest forecast and follow any advice from the emergency services and local authorities.”
Unsettled towards the weekend
Friday will bring further rain and blustery showers to the west and southwest, with colder conditions further north and slightly milder air in the south. Brighter spells are expected between showers, while Scotland may see additional hill snow.
Northern Ireland has a Yellow warning for rain in place from midnight until Friday evening, with any rain again falling on saturated ground. The wettest conditions are likely to be over Antrim and Down, and there’s the potential for many areas to see 10-25 mm of rainfall, with 40-60 mm over some hills. Rain will be accompanied by strong southeasterly winds.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 28, 2026
Further rain across Northern Ireland falling on already saturated ground
Friday 00:00 – 18:00
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/pdqAax2BbW
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