Late January is delivering an exceptionally active period of weather, both here in the UK and around the globe.

Storm Chandra is the most recent system to bring widespread impacts, but it arrives against a backdrop of persistent winter rainfall, saturated ground and a succession of deep Atlantic lows. Meanwhile, dramatic weather is unfolding elsewhere: severe cold and snow across parts of the United States, damaging storms around the Mediterranean, and extreme heat in Australia.

Storm Chandra’s rapid development

A key feature shaping the UK’s current weather is Storm Chandra, which developed rapidly to the southwest of the UK before moving northwards along the western side of Ireland. The storm underwent explosive deepening, supported by a powerful jet stream reaching close to 180 mph. Such an intense jet is linked to the significant temperature contrasts currently gripping parts of North America, where bitterly cold Arctic air is meeting much milder air further south.

This fast‑strengthening low‑pressure system produced an unusual wind setup for the UK. Rather than the more familiar westerlies that accompany many Atlantic systems, Chandra’s track drew strong south‑southeasterly winds up through the Irish Sea and into Northern Ireland. This wind direction is less common and was a major factor in the Amber wind warning issued for eastern Northern Ireland.

At the same time, the southwest of England and parts of Wales found themselves directly in the path of Chandra’s heaviest rainfall as the storm wrapped moisture‑laden air around its circulation.

Exceptional rainfall and severe impacts

Chandra’s rainfall has been one of the storm’s most significant characteristics. Heavy and persistent rain set in across southwest England, parts of Northern Ireland and later further north. Several locations recorded more than 100 mm, including over 100 mm at Katesbridge, the wettest day ever recorded at that site. Numerous places across Devon, Dorset, Kent and Northern Ireland also observed their wettest January day on record.

READ MORE: January weather extremes: a look back records from past events

These rainfall totals have had serious consequences. Rivers responded quickly, including the River Otter in Devon, which rose to its highest level on record. Flooded roads, closed schools and widespread travel disruption followed, with saturated ground conditions offering little resilience to additional rainfall.

Showery rain arriving behind the main band added to the risk. Even after the most intense rainfall cleared, the atmosphere remained unstable, allowing further bursts of heavy rain to develop across western regions.

Ice risk following the storm

As Chandra gradually pulls away, attention turns to the aftermath. Clearer skies and easing winds behind the system will allow temperatures to fall widely close to or below freezing. With ground surfaces thoroughly soaked by preceding rainfall, this brings a high risk of ice, even in areas receiving no further showers overnight.

This scenario represents the second of the two typical pathways to dangerous icy conditions: instead of precipitation falling onto frozen surfaces, saturated ground freezes as temperatures drop. Widespread ice warnings cover large parts of the UK as a result, with particularly difficult conditions expected on untreated roads and pavements.

Outlook for midweek and beyond

Wednesday offers a brief respite for many parts of the country. After an icy start, clearer and brighter spells will develop, although rain will linger stubbornly across northeast Scotland. Some showers may also return to Northern Ireland and parts of western Britain.

By Thursday, another area of rain begins pushing in from the southwest, bringing the potential for 30–40mm of rain in parts of Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Under normal circumstances these amounts would be manageable, but given the ongoing flooding, further rainfall poses renewed risks. A yellow rain warning reflects this heightened sensitivity.

The pattern then remains unsettled into Friday and the weekend. Scotland may see further hill snow as colder air arrives from the northwest, while England and Wales continue to experience spells of rain interspersed with brighter intervals. Saturday looks comparatively quieter for many areas, though still not entirely dry. A fresh band of rain is expected to arrive on Sunday, again adding to the cumulative rainfall totals.

January and winter rainfall in context

Storm Chandra is happening during what is already proving to be a notably wet winter. Rainfall from early December through late January has pushed several regions, particularly the southwest of England, parts of Northern Ireland and eastern Scotland, above their average rainfall for the entire winter season, despite the season being far from over.

January rainfall statistics paint a similar picture. Dorset is currently experiencing its second‑wettest January on record, and several counties across the UK fall into their second‑to‑fifth wettest Januarys. With further rain expected before the end of the month, some records may fall.

These trends align with broader climate signals indicating that UK winters are becoming wetter overall, with rainfall increasingly delivered through intense, high‑impact events. While summers may trend drier, rainfall is often concentrated into short, heavy downpours, contributing to surface water flooding. This winter’s weather exemplifies the challenges posed by a shifting climate: prolonged wet spells, rapid river rises and repeated flood risks.

Severely cold conditions across the United States

In contrast to the UK’s mild and wet winter weather, parts of the United States are experiencing extreme cold. A major winter storm has affected more than 30 states, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain and widespread disruption. New York City recorded more than 28cm of snow, its highest snowfall in over five years, while freezing rain further south has contributed to power cuts and treacherous conditions.

READ MORE: Week ahead: An unsettled start with Storm Chandra bringing rain and wind

The cold is expected to persist, with daytime temperatures remaining below freezing across large areas and nighttime temperatures plunging as low as –25°C in some regions. There is also the potential for another winter storm to develop near Florida later this week, although the track and intensity remain uncertain.

Stormy weather in southern Europe and the Mediterranean

Across southern Europe, a series of low‑pressure systems, including Storm Joseph, are producing hazardous weather. Parts of Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar and northern Morocco are facing the prospect of 200–300mm of rain when multiple events are combined, along with damaging winds and large waves.

Elsewhere, heavy rain and thunderstorms are affecting regions from France to Italy, and some Alpine areas may see 50–100cm of fresh snowfall. A blocking high over Scandinavia is helping to steer these systems further south, sustaining the unsettled pattern.

Extreme heat and wildfire risk in Australia

Meanwhile, southeastern Australia is enduring a severe heatwave. Melbourne has recorded 45°C, its hottest day in nearly 17 years, with a site in Victoria reporting 48.9°C, a new state record. These temperatures have triggered numerous bushfires. Winds strengthening mid‑week could worsen the fire spread before slightly fresher conditions arrive over the weekend.

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