Research and analysis

North East water situation: January 2026 summary

Updated 17 February 2026

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

1. Summary

January was a wet month with all catchments recording above average rainfall. Three named storms hit the UK during January, some of which brought strong winds and heavy rainfall to the area. Monthly rainfall totals were classed as notably high, above normal and normal for all catchments. Monthly mean river flows were elevated and fell within the notably high, above normal and normal ranges. Soils across the area remained fully saturated. Reservoir stocks were healthy for January, with the exception of Derwent reservoir which was below average for the time of year.

2. Rainfall

Monthly rainfall totals were above the long term average (LTA) for all catchments. Totals ranged from 107% of the LTA in the Tyne catchment to 167% of the LTA in the Northumbria North Sea Tribs catchment. Storm Goretti from 8 to 9 January had little impact in terms of rainfall in the North East area, but an analysis of the daily rainfall totals shows prolonged rainfall was recorded on 11 January. On 22 January heavy rainfall was again recorded across the area; this was followed by Storm Ingrid on 24 January and then Storm Chandra on 26 January, both of which brought further heavy rain and strong winds. Cumulative 3 month totals are now classed as notably high across all catchments.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are even lower than last month and all catchments are fully saturated with SMDs of zero across the North East area.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows fell within the normal, above normal or notably high ranges for January. Monthly mean flows ranged from 78% of the LTA at Haydon Bridge in the South Tyne catchment to 163% of the LTA at Mitford in the Wansbeck catchment. Analysis of daily mean flows shows that flows were exceptionally low in the first week of January at Haydon Bridge on the River South Tyne and Heaton Mill on the River Till. Daily mean flows increased at all indicator sites on 11 January following a period of rainfall. On 22 January prolonged rainfall was recorded across the area with an increase in flows at all indicator sites. Exceptionally high flows were recorded at all sites with the exception of Haydon Bridge. Daily mean flows remained elevated at the end of the month and fell within the exceptionally high and notably high ranges, with the exception of Haydon Bridge which fell within the normal range.

5. Groundwater levels   

Groundwater levels varied across the area this month. Levels increased at Aycliffe in the Skerne Magnesian Limestone aquifer and decreased at Red Lion and West Hall Farm. Royalty Observation and Townlaw in the Till Fell Sandstone fell within the normal range for the time of year.

6. Reservoir stocks

All reservoir stocks across the area have increased this month. Derwent reservoir recorded the largest increase from 61.4% to 70.8% and fell just below average for January. All the other reservoirs in the area are above average for the time of year. The Durham group and Cow Green reservoirs are at 100% capacity.

Reservoir or reservoir group	Percentage of current stocks	Percentage of previous month stocks
Kielder	90.7	88.4
North Tynedale group	92.4	87.6
Derwent	70.8	61.4
Durham group	100	97.9
Lune and Balder group	98.5	96.9
Cow Green	100	96.7

Author: Environment Agency, hydrology.northeast@environment-agency.gov.uk

All data are provisional and may be subject to revision. The views expressed in this document are not necessarily those of the Environment Agency. Its officers, servants or agents accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from the interpretation or use of the information, or reliance upon views contained in this report.