LONDON, 26 January 2026 — The Met Office has named a new storm system, Storm Chandra, that is forecast to batter large swathes of the United Kingdom with powerful winds, heavy rain and snow in the coming days, issuing multiple weather warnings and alerting communities to potential disruption and danger.
According to official forecasts, Storm Chandra will sweep in from the southwest later Monday night and into Tuesday, with gusts expected to exceed 70 mph in exposed coastal areas and heavy rainfall predicted to fall on already saturated ground. The conditions have prompted an amber warning for wind across parts of eastern Northern Ireland and southwest England, where flooding and transport chaos could follow.
“Strong winds and heavy rain falling on saturated ground will bring impacts on Monday night and Tuesday,” a Met Office spokesman said in a statement, warning residents and travellers to stay informed and heed all official safety advice.
The amber wind warning covers parts of the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall, and southwest Wales, where emergency services are preparing for storm conditions. Extended yellow warnings for rain and wind also stretch across central and southern England, Wales, and parts of Northern Ireland.
Heavy rainfall, when combined with saturated soils and high tide levels, raises the risk of localised flooding, particularly in low‑lying towns and villages. Forecasters caution that rivers and drainage systems could struggle to cope with the deluge, leading to possible inundation of homes, businesses, and key infrastructure.
Snow is also expected to feature in the storm’s impact as cold air interacts with the system further north. Elevated regions in northern England, southern Scotland, and the Scottish Highlands could see snow accumulations of up to 20 cm, making travel hazardous and increasing the risk of slips and accidents on untreated roads.
In an advisory issued to the public, the Met Office warned: “Flooding and travel disruption is likely in places and there will also be some significant snow across higher ground in some northern areas.”
Transport operators across the UK have already begun contingency planning. Rail and bus services are preparing for delays or cancellations, particularly in regions where gusty winds or flooding could disrupt lines. Motorists have been urged to allow extra time for journeys or consider postponing travel if conditions worsen.
Cornwall and Devon bear particular concern, coming on the heels of Storm Goretti earlier this month, which left thousands without power, water and broadband after winds nearing 100 mph brought widespread damage to the region. The cumulative effect of successive storms raises anxiety among residents and local officials about resilience and flood defence capacity.
Local councils in vulnerable areas have activated emergency response teams, issuing guidance on securing property and preparing for power outages. “It’s essential that residents take these warnings seriously,” said one council official in the southwest. “Ensure you have adequate supplies, check on vulnerable neighbours, and avoid driving through flooded roads.”
Emergency services have reiterated that it is unsafe to drive through floodwaters or attempt to walk through strong currents, urging anyone affected to call emergency services and seek higher ground when necessary.
The Environment Agency has issued several flood alerts and warnings throughout England, with particular attention on river catchments prone to swelling under prolonged rainfall.
Meanwhile, schools and businesses in storm‑affected areas are assessing the potential for closures or early dismissals as conditions deteriorate. The Civil Aviation Authority has also warned that flight schedules could be disrupted, particularly from regional airports in western England.
Storm Chandra is the latest in a series of intense weather systems this winter — highlighting the persistent vulnerability of the UK’s ageing infrastructure and underscoring the challenges faced by emergency services and local authorities as climate change contributes to more volatile weather patterns.
Residents are advised to stay tuned to the latest Met Office updates and check with local authorities on specific alerts in their area.
