Storm Dave affected the UK during 4–5 April 2026, bringing a spell of disruptive weather to parts of the country, particularly across northern and western areas.
The storm was notable for a combination of very strong winds, heavy rainfall and, for some locations, late‑season snow. While impacts were not felt everywhere, Storm Dave marked a clear return to unsettled conditions following a relatively mild and spring‑like start to April.
In this blog, we'll look at how Storm Dave impacted parts of the UK and weather any records were set during its passing.
The development and passage of Storm Dave
Storm Dave was named on 2 April as forecasts showed an increasing risk of damaging winds and heavy precipitation. The system deepened as it crossed the UK over Easter weekend, tracking eastwards and clearing into the North Sea by Sunday.
The strongest impacts were concentrated across Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales. Further south and east, conditions were generally less severe, with blustery winds at times but longer dry intervals and some sunshine, especially later in the weekend.
Wind impacts
Wind was the most significant factor associated with Storm Dave, particularly across exposed western and northern areas. Gusts of 60–70 mph were widely recorded in these regions, with higher values in particularly exposed locations.
The strongest gust during Storm Dave was recorded at Capel Curig in Gwynedd, where a gust of 93 mph was observed. This set an Easter Saturday record maximum gust at the site. Elsewhere, Aberdaron in Gwynedd saw a max gust of 83mph, while Emley Moor in West Yorkshire and St Bees Head in Cumbria both saw max gusts of 75mph.
Many other coastal and upland locations across Wales, northern England and Scotland recorded severe gale or storm‑force gusts, leading to hazardous travel conditions, difficult coastal conditions and the risk of power disruption.
Winds gradually eased on Sunday as Storm Dave cleared, though blustery showers continued across northern areas for a time.
#StormDave continues to move in from the west, bringing heavy rain, snow across parts of Scotland, and very strong, gusty winds for many, as shown in the latest radar and satellite sequence
— Met Office (@metoffice) April 4, 2026
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/pbJqhnO7R1
Rainfall
Storm Dave also brought widespread heavy rainfall, with the highest totals focused across western Scotland, parts of northern England, Cumbria and some western upland areas elsewhere.
The highest rainfall totals during the storm was recorded at Glen Ample in Stirling, where 50 mm fell. Several other sites across Argyll and the western Highlands recorded totals in excess of 40 mm, including Rest and Be Thankful, Loch Restil and Cliff Farm. Further south, parts of Cumbria also saw notable rainfall totals approaching 30 mm.
Snow and wintry conditions
Despite being in early April, Storm Dave brought some significant wintry weather to higher ground, particularly across northern Scotland. As colder air wrapped around the system, rain turned to snow over upland areas, with drifting and blizzard conditions reported in places due to strong winds.
Snow depths of several centimetres were recorded, with Loch Glascarnoch in Ross & Cromarty reporting depths of up to 6 cm. Tulloch Bridge and Aviemore in Inverness‑shire also recorded accumulating snow, with repeated reports of heavy snow through the evening and overnight period. Elsewhere, sleet and snow mixed with rain were observed across parts of northern Scotland, Northern Ireland and upland areas of northern England.
These conditions contributed to difficult travel conditions over higher routes, adding to the overall impact of the storm.
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Regional variation in impacts
Storm Dave did not impact all parts of the UK equally. Northern and western areas experienced the brunt of the storm, with the most severe wind, rain and snow. In contrast, southern and eastern regions generally saw less disruptive weather, with breezy conditions but fewer hazards overall.
By Easter Monday, a ridge of high pressure following the storm brought a drier and more settled day for many parts of the UK. After a chilly start, most areas saw some sunny spells, marking a clear improvement following the passage of Storm Dave.
How storms are named in the UK
When severe weather threatens the UK, clear and consistent communication is vital. The Met Office, in partnership with Met Éireann and KNMI, names storms that are likely to have a significant impact on the UK and surrounding regions. This helps the public, media, and government agencies understand the risks and take appropriate action.
Storm naming is a collaborative process. The Met Office works closely with Met Éireann and KNMI to create an annual list of storm names. This list is developed through public suggestions and input from partner organisations, ensuring a diverse range of names that reflect the communities served. Each year, members of the public are invited to submit name ideas, which are then reviewed by a dedicated group. Not every suggestion makes the final list; several criteria are considered to ensure names are suitable for use in weather communications:
- Pronunciation: Names must be easy to say and understand, though some may be unfamiliar due to the involvement of partners from Ireland and the Netherlands.
- Meaning: Names are checked for different meanings in different countries to avoid confusion or unintended associations.
- Sensitivity: Names linked to significant public figures, controversial topics, or politics are avoided.
- Retired names: Any name previously retired as a hurricane name will not be reused.
- Impartiality: Storms are never named after private companies or brands.
- Suitability: The frequency of a name’s submission does not influence its selection; suitability is paramount.
The importance of naming storms
The primary reason for naming storms is to provide a consistent and authoritative message about approaching severe weather. A single, recognisable name helps communication through media partners and government agencies, making it easier for the public to understand the risks, take appropriate action, and keep themselves, their property, and their businesses safe.
Storms are named when they are expected to cause disruption or damage significant enough to warrant an amber or red warning. This decision is based on the National Severe Weather Warnings service, which considers both the potential impact and the likelihood of those impacts occurring. While storms are most often named due to the threat of strong winds, other weather types are also considered. Heavy rain, as with Storm Claudia, or significant snowfall may also prompt the naming of a storm, especially when agencies such as the Environment Agency, SEPA, and Natural Resources Wales advise of potential flooding.
When are new storm names announced?
Since the launch of the ‘Name our Storms’ initiative in 2015, a new list of names is published each September. This covers the period from early September to late August the following year, aligning with the seasonal increase in low-pressure systems and the potential for named storms. The latest list is revealed on 1 September, ready for the autumn and winter weather season.
Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.
