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 every 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 the 2026 season.

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
7. Storm Goretti - First of 2026, and it will last two days from Thursday 8th January until Friday 9th January

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?

Large areas of England and Wales are set to face heavy snow later this week, driven by the strong winds of Storm Goretti, the Met Office has said.

A yellow snow warning will cover a broad stretch of England, including Sheffield, Peterborough, Bath and Worcester, as well as much of Wales, from 6pm Thursday 8th January until midday Friday 9th January.

The wintry conditions stem from powerful winds over northern France, where the system has been named Storm Goretti by Meteo France and confirmed by the Met Office. Snow is expected to form over higher ground in South Wales on Thursday evening, before rain turns to snow more widely overnight across England and Wales. Some places may see 5–10cm of snow, with up to 20cm possible on higher terrain.

Storm Goretti is also forecast to cause disruption in south‑west England, where a yellow wind warning covers Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly from Thursday afternoon until late evening.

A yellow warning signals the potential for travel delays and minor disruption, though most people can continue their normal routines. An amber warning, however, indicates a higher level of danger, with severe weather likely to cause significant travel issues, power cuts and risks to life and property, prompting people to take extra precautions.

How can drivers prepare?

Ahead of the storm, RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “In the areas worst affected by Storm Goretti, drivers need to be considering if it’s safe to get behind the wheel. As temperatures plummet, breakdowns rise, especially as older, less reliable batteries tend to fail more often in cold conditions.

“The key is allowing more time at every stage of the journey, whether that's clearing vehicles of snow and ice before setting off or reducing the speed at which you’re travelling to suit the conditions.

"Never be tempted to use hot water to clear a frozen windscreen which, rather than being a ‘hack’ could actually lead to an expensive crack.

"Instead, leave more time before setting off and carry a decent scraper and de-icer so you can clear the windscreen quickly. Stick to major roads that are more likely to be clear of snow and stay tuned to weather forecasts to decide if it’s a good idea to drive.

'It’s important to have plenty of screen wash that protects down to at least -10 degrees, ensuring you always have a clear view due to all the dirt from gritted roads.”