Residents in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, should prepare for a wet and windy commute this afternoon, 26 February 2026, as the Met Office predicts a sharp increase in rainfall and high winds. The weather service expects light rain to begin around 3:00 PM, with the chance of heavy downpours rising to over 95 per cent by 5:00 PM.
Strong winds are also forecast for the area today, with gusts reaching up to 34 miles per hour from the south-southwest during the early afternoon. These breezy conditions may affect loose items and outdoor structures, particularly for businesses and shoppers on the town’s Promenade.
The Environment Agency has already issued flood warnings for parts of England following a period of wet weather earlier this month. This follows previous local alerts for the River Chelt tributaries, where water levels were high as recently as one week ago.
The timing of the rain may cause difficult driving conditions and poor visibility for those on the afternoon school run or evening commute. Local stallholders preparing for the Cheltenham Farmers Market on Friday morning are also advised to secure their equipment against the wind and overnight rain.
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