Wetlands

Since the start of 2026, England has been drenched by relentless rain. January brought 50% more rainfall than average to the southwest and South Wales, with some areas seeing rain every single day. The Met Office described it as a “stormy January,” marked by persistent downpours and saturated ground.

February has offered no reprieve. The first week continued the pattern, with yellow weather warnings issued across the West Midlands, southern England, and Wales. Forecasters warn of ongoing instability, with no clear end in sight.

The impact is stark: rivers have burst their banks, fields are waterlogged, and crops are rotting. While some regions—like Sussex and East Anglia—have seen drought recovery, the broader picture is one of flooding and disruption. This excess rainfall is not just a seasonal anomaly; it’s a sign of shifting climate patterns.

Wetlands

Dry land and sun is shining
Just a cloud in the distance
Now jet stream misaligning
Change brings new existence

Dark skies, the cloud overcast
And so the rain begins to fall
Winds come, strong and fast
We are in this weather thrall

Ground sodden, and crops rot
Rivers break banks, flood land
Climate change is now our lot
The god Auster’s mighty hand

Now is the time of Noah’s bane
And strident turning weather vane