The Met Office has released an early analysis of winter 2026 on 27 February 2026, revealing that rain has been recorded nearly every single day of the year so far in Kirkby, Merseyside. This constant wet weather has left the ground completely soaked, meaning there is a much higher risk of flooding from rivers and surface water as the town enters the spring season.
The current situation is largely due to a very wet end to 2025, specifically when Storm Claudia caused widespread flooding in November. Because the soil is already full of water, any new rainfall cannot soak into the earth and instead runs off into roads and gardens. This follows a longer trend of heavier rainfall, with historical figures showing that the decade between 2015 and 2024 was 10 per cent wetter than previous averages.
Local residents have seen the direct impact of these conditions at the River Alt, particularly near the Kirkby Valley Golf Club, where the water has previously burst over the banks. The Environment Agency is closely monitoring the river levels from Huyton through to Kirkby to provide early warnings to the community.
Travel has also been affected, with National Highways identifying the M57 motorway as a high-risk area. The stretch between Junction 6 at Kirkby and Junction 7 at Switch Island is frequently prone to closures when heavy rain hits. Knowsley Council is responsible for managing these surface water risks across the local area.
Experts from the Mersey Rivers Trust suggest that because the ground is so wet, it will take longer than usual for water levels to return to normal. Homeowners and drivers are encouraged to keep a close eye on local flood maps and travel updates throughout the coming weeks.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
