Why is the UK so rainy this year and how is the climate crisis making matters worse?

The UK has experienced an exceptionally wet start to the year, with rain falling somewhere in the country every day so far. Northern Ireland recorded its wettest January in 149 years, while southern England endured its sixth wettest January since 1836. Some locations, including Astwood Bank in Worcestershire, have seen continuous rainfall throughout the year to date. Over 100 flood warnings remain in place as further heavy rain is forecast, exacerbating already saturated ground and widespread flooding. This persistent rainfall is the result of a rapid succession of weather systems, including storms Goretti, Ingrid, and Chandra, which have repeatedly swept rain across the UK. Meteorologists attribute the wet conditions to a southward shift in the jet stream, a fast-moving air current that has directed multiple low-pressure systems from the Atlantic toward the country. A blocking high-pressure system over northern Europe has stalled these weather fronts, preventing them from moving on and prolonging the wet conditions. Scientists highlight that these atmospheric patterns are linked to broader climate dynamics, with cold air plunges over North America intensifying temperature differences across the North Atlantic, thereby energizing the jet stream. This phenomenon is not unique to the UK; similar weather patterns have contributed to severe flooding in Spain and Portugal. The relentless rain contrasts sharply with drought conditions experienced in parts of the UK just months earlier, underscoring the increasing volatility of weather patterns amid climate change. The ongoing wet weather has significant implications for flood management, agriculture, and infrastructure resilience across the UK. Saturated soils increase the risk of surface water flooding and landslides, while prolonged rainfall disrupts transport and daily life. Experts warn that climate change is likely to make such extreme weather events more frequent and intense, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate future impacts.