The Met Office has officially designated the next major weather system as Storm Chandra, triggering urgent amber "danger to life" warnings across multiple regions of the United Kingdom. This severe multi-hazard event, arriving hot on the heels of Storm Ingrid, is forecast to unleash a potent combination of destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and significant snowfall, posing substantial risks to life and property from Tuesday, 27 January 2026.
Critical Amber Warnings for Wind and Rain
Forecasters have escalated concerns by issuing two separate amber-level warnings, indicating a heightened threat to life. A severe wind warning is active for the eastern coastline of Northern Ireland, encompassing counties Antrim, Down, and Derry, from 5am until 9pm on Tuesday. Gusts are predicted to reach a ferocious 70-75mph, with the Met Office warning of large, dangerous waves and the risk of injury from flying debris.
Concurrently, an amber warning for heavy, persistent rain covers South Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and southeastern Cornwall from 5pm today until 9am Tuesday. The situation is exacerbated by ground already saturated from previous storms, with up to 80mm of rainfall expected on Dartmoor, dramatically increasing the likelihood of flash flooding and landslides.
Widespread Disruption and Secondary Hazards
As Storm Chandra tracks northwards, it will interact with colder air masses, triggering a yellow warning for snow across Scotland and Northern England. While lower levels may experience only a light dusting, elevated terrain in the Pennines, Lake District, and Scottish Highlands could see a rapid and sharp accumulation of 10-20cm, leading to treacherous travel conditions.
Further south, a yellow rain warning is in force for the West Midlands, including major urban centres like Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry, from midnight tonight until 5pm Tuesday. Widespread rainfall of 20-30mm is anticipated, with weather models suggesting the potential for this to turn to snow in higher parts of the region, with accumulations possibly reaching 6.4cm.
Coastal and Inland Flooding Threats
Coastal communities, particularly in the South West and South Wales which are still recovering from Storm Goretti, are bracing for extreme gusts of 70-80mph. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has issued a stern safety plea, urging the public to avoid sea fronts, piers, and unstable cliff edges due to the severe risk of being swept away.
Inland, the Environment Agency has already activated 21 flood warnings, indicating that flooding is expected, alongside 123 flood alerts. Areas of particular concern include the South West and regions surrounding York, where river levels are already critically high and prone to bursting their banks.
Travel Chaos and Infrastructure Impact
The Met Office has warned there is a "good chance" of widespread power cuts and disruptions to mobile phone networks as the storm damages infrastructure. National Rail and major airlines, including Ryanair and Jet2, have pre-emptively advised all passengers to expect significant delays and likely cancellations throughout Tuesday, advising travellers to check their journey status before setting out.
Expert Safety Guidance for the Public
Motoring organisations are urging extreme caution. RAC spokesperson Nick Mullender emphasised the dangers of floodwater, stating that just 30cm of flowing water is sufficient to float a car. He also warned that stopping distances on wet and potentially icy roads can be up to ten times longer than on dry surfaces, demanding much greater care from drivers.
Public health remains a key concern as temperatures are set to plummet in the storm's wake. An Amber Cold Health Alert is currently in effect, and vulnerable residents are strongly encouraged to prepare. Authorities advise signing up for free Environment Agency flood alerts and assembling a ready "flood kit" containing essential items such as torches, warm blankets, bottled water, and any necessary medications.
