UK storms – data and impact on drivers

Driving in the UK comes with several challenges – and adapting to changing weather conditions is one of them.

In this know how guide, we look at storms in the UK, when the next one will land, and what drivers should do.

How many days does it rain in the UK?

According to Statista, the UK typically has between 15 and 22 days of rain eery month. This averages out to around 156 days a year.

Scotland receives more rain than England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

England is the driest of the four nations.

The Atlantic Ocean drives precipitation into northern and western areas, explaining why Scotland is wetter than England.

How many storms are there every year in the UK?

The Statista data shows that there is an average of 10-20 storms every year in the UK – with two to five receiving names from the Met Office.

Since naming began in 2015, the number of named storms has had a low of two in 2022/23 season – and a high of 12 in the 2023/24 season.

Scotland, Wales, and western England are normally the worst affected areas.

Storm names for 2025/2026 season

These are the names of the storms that have hit the UK so far in 2025 and are set to impact the UK before the end of 2026.

1. Storm Eowyn – Hit the UK on the 24th January 2025
2. Storm Floris – Last two days, from the 4th to the 5th August 2025
3. Storm Amy – Impacted the UK from the 3rd to 4th October 2025
4. Storm Benjamin – Moved up from central Europe and affected parts of the UK on the 23rd October
5. Storm Claudia – Starting from today and lasting until Sunday 16th November
6. Storm Bram - Starts today and ends on Wednesday 10th December

These are many names that are prepared for the next storms to arrive in the UK over the next few months.

The Met Office will release these names when there is forecast to be a storm.

New names for storms are released every September and run to the following August.

Why do storms get a name?

In the UK, storms are named when they pose a risk of disruption or damage likely to trigger amber or red warnings.

This decision comes from the National Severe Weather Warnings service, which weighs both the potential impact and its likelihood.

While strong winds and heavy rain are the usual triggers, other severe weather types may also lead to a storm being named.

When a storm meets the criteria for naming, meaning it poses a risk of significant disruption or danger, the responsibility for assigning its name falls to one of three national meteorological services: the UK’s Met Office, Ireland’s Met Éireann, or the Dutch KNMI.

Together, they form the western Europe storm naming group.

The chosen name is taken from the annually approved list, which is arranged alphabetically and alternates between male and female names.

This system ensures consistency, helps the public easily identify severe weather events, and raises awareness of potential impacts across the region.

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What is classed as a storm?

A storm is a violent atmospheric disturbance marked by strong winds, heavy rain, thunder, lightning, and/or snowfall.

It occurs when areas of low pressure intensify, creating unstable weather conditions over both small and larger areas.

Storms often leading to flooding, property damage, and risks to human safety when driving.

Number of days of rain per month in the UK

Data from On Average highlights the average rainfall by month across the UK, based on data from the last 30 years.

What is a ‘weather bomb’?

A weather bomb is a low-pressure system that drops 24 millibars in 24 hours, a process called explosive cyclogenesis.

Driven by the jet stream, falling pressure pulls in surrounding air, tightening rotation like a spinning skater.

The resulting winds can peak quickly, strong enough to topple trees, damage buildings, and cause havoc on the roads.

What is a ‘storm surge’?

A storm surge is a rise in sea level driven by a storm, often causing severe coastal flooding.

Fierce winds push seawater toward the shore, piling it up, while low pressure at the storm’s centre adds a smaller lift – about 1 cm for every millibar drop – known as the inverse barometer effect.

Powerful winds also generate large waves that can batter sea defences or spill over, heightening flood risks. In tropical storms like hurricanes, heavy rainfall further compounds the danger.

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When is the next storm?

Storm Bram is set to impact the UK from today through Wednesday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rain across northern and western regions. Amber warnings are in place, with northwest Scotland expected to see gusts reaching up to 90mph in some areas.

Yellow wind warnings have also been issued for Wales, southwest England, Northern Ireland, northern England, and parts of southern and eastern Scotland, highlighting widespread disruption risks.

Heavy rainfall is another major concern during this period. Amber warnings cover south Wales and south Devon, where upland areas could see up to 100mm of rain. Broader Yellow warnings for rain extend across much of Wales, the southwest of England, and Scotland’s Central Belt.

The storm’s intensity over the next three days is expected to bring hazardous travel conditions and potential flooding, making this one of the most significant weather events of early December.

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Dan Suri, said: “Storm Bram will bring a very wet and windy spell of weather, with very strong winds and further heavy rain which falling over saturated ground, could cause flooding impacts.

"Within the Amber wind warning over northwest Scotland, gusts of up to 90 mph could be recorded. More widely, gusts of 50-60 mph, and perhaps 70 mph in a few spots, are expected across Wales, southwest England and Northern Ireland.

“Rain is an additional impact from Storm Bram, with the possibility of 100mm over higher ground in the south of Wales and parts of Devon. This could require updates to warnings, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast in your area, as well as any flood warnings from your local environment agency.”

How can drivers prepare?

Ahead of the storm, RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “Storm Bram is set to batter western parts of the UK from Tuesday into Wednesday, creating treacherous conditions on many roads.

"Strong winds can make vehicles harder to control, so it’s best that drivers slow down and keep a firm grip on the wheel. Rural and coastal routes will feel the worst of the gusts, with fallen branches or even trees likely to cause disruption.

"We recommend drivers check local forecasts and consider delaying non-essential trips until the storm passes.

"Above all, it’s important not to take any chances in these conditions, as fierce winds, torrential rain and the prospect of renewed flooding are a potentially dangerous blend.”