Storm Chandra swept across the UK from 26 to 27 January, delivering a potent combination of strong winds and heavy rain to already saturated ground. Named as a deep Atlantic low approached, Chandra prompted multiple severe weather warnings for rain, wind, and snow, with the storm arriving rapidly and forcefully.
While the strongest gusts were felt along coastal and upland areas, the most significant feature of storm Chandra was the exceptional rainfall. Southwest England, Wales, and parts of Northern Ireland recorded heavy, persistent rain, pushing river catchments over flooding thresholds and contributing to new January rainfall records. In Northern Ireland, Katesbridge in County Down recorded a remarkable 114.8 mm, making it one of the wettest locations during the storm.
The M48 Severn Bridge was forced to close on Tuesday (January 27) morning, whilst The Humber Bridge was shut to high-sided vehicles owing to the gales.
Retailers operating in affected areas reported that, despite the extreme weather, operations largely continued with only localised disruption. Dalzells of Markethill, based in Armagh, told ERT: “No major disruption for us other than localised flooding preventing some deliveries and delays in completion due to diversions and the likes. The greatest concern is always driver safety on their return home. Luton box lorries really catch the wind, and when empty they don’t always have the weight to hold them safely on the road.”
A North Wales-based independent retailer told ERT that Storm Chandra had caused some disruption, largely linked to transport and safety considerations. “We remained open, but the biggest impact was on deliveries,” they said. “With high winds and restrictions on bridges for high-sided vehicles, we had to delay a small number of jobs. Our priority was making sure drivers weren’t travelling in unsafe conditions. Customers were generally understanding, and it was more about short-term delays than any major operational issues.”
Authorities have advised drivers to take extra care, particularly on exposed roads where gusty winds can pose a danger to high-sided vehicles. While rainfall was the primary hazard across Northern Ireland and southwest England, snow also featured on the northern flank of the system, with small accumulations reported in upland areas.
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