Why is the UK so wet? The 'blocking' phenomenon causing rain to 'stall' over country

Rainfall records have been broken across Britain as a phenomenon called a "blocking pattern" is causing the wet weather to linger.

Blocks are "areas of high pressure that remain nearly stationary and distort the usual [...] progression of pressure systems," the Met Office says.

The pattern has settled over northern Europe, preventing weather fronts from clearing and causing the rain to stall over the UK, it added.

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"The result has been continuous waves of rain, strong winds, and hill snow in parts of Scotland," Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said.

This event has created a sense of winter being "stuck on repeat" in many places, the Met Office added, and the persistent rain has caused hundreds of homes to flood, with more at risk.

The Environment Agency (EA) had 97 flood warnings in place across England on Tuesday night, with two flood warnings in Scotland.

A further 150 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, were in force across England, with seven in Scotland and one in Wales.

The EA is urging the public to remain vigilant against floods after at least 300 homes were flooded in England.

And with Britain facing rain every day in 2026, meteorologists say the downpours are set to continue.

Steven Keates, deputy chief forecaster with the Met Office, said: "In the near term, the unsettled theme is expected to continue, with further showers or longer spells of rain for most.

"We are likely to see the transition from wet and windy weather to colder, more settled conditions towards the end of the week, with Saturday looking a fine day for many.

"But, this reprieve doesn't last long, as the next set of Atlantic weather fronts looks set to move in from the west at the end of the weekend."

Across the UK, 26 weather stations set new monthly records for the highest January rainfall, according to the forecaster.

Northern Ireland endured its wettest January in 149 years.

Daily rainfall records were broken too - with weather stations in Plymouth, Dorset, and Devon recording their wettest January day for 104 years, 74 years and 57 years respectively.

The theme has continued in February, with England already recording 59% of its usual rainfall for the month, rising to 72% in the South.

A number of observing sites, mostly clustered in the South West, have recorded rain every day this year.

Read more:
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In Scotland, Aberdeen has already had 180% of its typical February rainfall, Kincardineshire 152%, and Angus 130%.

A yellow weather warning for rain remains in effect for parts of eastern Scotland throughout Tuesday.

Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, said: "With another band of rain on its way, we need the public to remain vigilant to the risk of flooding.

"As well as significant groundwater remaining likely in parts of Dorset and Wiltshire, there are risks of significant river flooding impacts on the Somerset Levels, with minor river flooding impacts expected in parts of the East Midlands and probable in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

"So far 16,000 homes and business have been protected but sadly 300 have suffered flooding and our thoughts are with those communities affected.

"Our teams will continue to do all they can to support local people, with pumps, temporary barriers and by clearing waterways to ensure flood water can drain away."

He added: "It is extremely dangerous to drive through flood water - we urge drivers not to do so."

(c) Sky News 2026: Why is the UK so wet? The 'blocking' phenomenon causing rain to 'stall' over country