January was unsettled with successive low pressure systems bringing wind, rain and snow, leading to pluvial and fluvial flooding. Rainfall was above average across Northern Ireland and eastern and southern Britian but below average elsewhere. January mean flows were in the normal range to below normal for western Scotland and northwest and southeast England. In contrast, flows were notably to exceptionally high at some rivers in eastern Scotland, Northern Ireland and southern England. Groundwater levels rose across much of the UK, reflecting sustained recharge following the wet conditions of recent months. Modest recoveries were observed though below normal levels remained in East Anglia and parts of central and northern Scotland. Reservoir stocks rose and were near average for England & Wales: some impoundments went from deficits to near or above average (e.g. Bewl, Ardingly and Wimbleball) whilst stocks fell at Farmoor (11% below average) and remained 12% below at Grafham. A wet January aided drought recovery, with parts of Essex exiting drought status on the 22nd, marking the first time since May 2025 with no English region in drought. Wet conditions persisted into early February with parts of eastern Scotland receiving more than twice the average monthly rainfall in the first two weeks. Saturated soils and a three‑month Hydrological Outlook that favours above normal flows for eastern Scotland and southern England means flood risk remain elevated.