Storm Chandra has been officially named by the Met Office as a deep area of low pressure brings a spell of wet, windy and, in some places, wintry weather across the UK.
The storm is expected to impact the country from Monday night into Tuesday, with strong winds, heavy rain on already saturated ground, and snow over higher ground in northern areas.
Weather conditions and impacts may vary by location. Readers should follow official local updates.
Strong winds expected in coastal and western areas
Storm Chandra will first bring gusty conditions to the southwest, with strong winds affecting the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall and southwest Wales before the system moves north through the Irish Sea.
An Amber warning for wind has been issued for eastern Northern Ireland, where gusts of 60–70mph are expected widely, with up to 75mph possible along exposed coasts. These easterly winds are considered unusual for the region and are likely to cause disruption.
A separate Yellow wind warning covers parts of Cornwall, southwest Wales and northern Devon.
Heavy rain raises flooding concerns in the southwest
Rainfall is expected to be another major hazard as Storm Chandra moves across the UK. The Met Office has warned that heavy rain falling on already wet ground could lead to flooding in several areas.
An Amber warning for rain is in place for:
- South Devon
- Much of Dorset
- Southern Somerset
- Southeast Cornwall
Rainfall totals of 30–50mm are expected widely, with up to 60–80mm over higher ground, particularly across south Dartmoor.
Snow risk for northern England and Scotland
Further north, colder air will bring a wintry element to the storm. As rain meets colder conditions, it is expected to turn to snow over hills and higher ground.
Yellow warnings for snow have been issued for parts of Scotland and northern England, where:
- 2–5cm of snow could fall widely
- 10–20cm may accumulate above 500 metres
This could lead to difficult travel conditions, particularly on higher routes.
Met Office warns of multiple hazards
Met Office Chief Forecaster Paul Gundersen said Storm Chandra would bring a combination of risks across the UK.
“Storm Chandra will bring a range of hazards to the UK through Monday night and Tuesday. Initially strong winds will impact the Isles of Scilly, western Cornwall and southwest Wales which are still vulnerable after Storm Goretti”, he said.
He added that heavy rain over saturated ground in parts of southern England could lead to flooding, while snow may accumulate over higher ground in the Pennines, southern Scotland and the Highlands.
“With a complex spell of weather, it’s important people stay up to date with the forecast and any warnings in your area”.
Flooding advice and emergency warnings
The Environment Agency has warned that significant surface water flooding is possible, particularly across the southwest of England.
Flood Duty Manager Chris Wilding said teams were already on the ground responding to the threat.
“Significant surface water flooding impacts are probable today and tomorrow in the south west of England, with a significant risk of river flooding impacts too”, he said.
The agency urged people not to drive through floodwater, warning that just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float a car.
How Storm Chandra was named
Storm Chandra is the latest storm named by the western Europe storm naming group, which includes the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands. Storms are named when they are expected to have a medium or high impact, helping to improve public awareness and communication.
Recent storms, including Storm Goretti, were named by other centres within the same naming group.
What happens next
The Met Office says unsettled conditions are expected to continue through much of the week. Wednesday is forecast to bring a brief improvement for many areas, with drier and brighter conditions in the east, although rain and cloud are likely to persist in western regions.
Final word
Storm Chandra brings a reminder of how quickly UK weather can change, particularly when strong winds, heavy rain and snow occur together. With multiple warnings in place, authorities are urging people to stay informed, take precautions, and follow official advice as conditions develop.