Research and analysis

Solent and South Downs water situation report: February 2026 summary

Updated 12 March 2026

Applies to England

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

1. Summary

Solent and South Downs (SSD) had over average rainfall in February, receiving 212% (143mm) of long term average (LTA) of 97mm. Monthly mean river flows for February ranged from notably high to exceptionally high across SSD. End of month groundwater levels for February ranged from normal to exceptionally high. Soils across SSD ended the month wetter than the LTA for February. End of month reservoir stocks were above average at Ardingly Reservoir (Ouse) and below average at Arlington Reservoir (Cuckmere).

2. Rainfall

SSD had over average rainfall in February, receiving 212% (143mm) of LTA (97mm). The Isle of Wight areal unit received the highest monthly rainfall total with an exceptionally high 267% (179mm) of LTA (67mm). Exceptionally high rainfall total of over 200% of LTA, between 143mm and 179mm, were also received in areal units:

• East Hampshire Chalk
• Hampshire Tertiaries Lymington
• Sussex Coast
• West Sussex Chalk
• East Sussex Chalk

The remaining areal units while receiving lower totals all received a notably high rainfall of over 170% of LTA (between 116mm and 160mm). The Arun areal unit received the lowest rainfall total with 174% (116mm) of LTA (67mm), though this is almost twice the monthly average.

The highest daily totals in February were all recorded on the Isle of Wight on either 1 February or 18 February. The highest daily total of 38 mm was recorded at Chale RG and the second highest of 37mm at Wroxall RG both on 18 February. St Catherine’s Point also recorded 37mm but on 1 February, while Wroxall RG and Chale RG recorded 35mm that day. During these 2 days over 60mm was received on average across SSD which represents around 40% of the total February monthly rainfall and 100% of LTA. There were only 8 dry days during February.

It has been the second wettest February on record for the Isle of Wight, which is beaten only by 2024 which received just 6mm more. February for SSD is ranked the seventh wettest.

It has also been the:

• third wettest February for the Lymington and Sussex Coast units
• fourth wettest for the West Sussex Chalk and Hampshire Tertiaries
• sixth wettest East Sussex Chalk

For the 3-month period of December to February all areal units in SSD ranked in the top 10 wettest on record. Rainfall for SSD ranked the third wettest along with:

• East Hampshire Chalk
• West Sussex Chalk
• Western Rother Greensand
• Hampshire Tertiaries
• Lymington
• Sussex Coast
• Adur
• Isle of Wight

For the 6-month period of September to February all areal units rank in the top 10 wettest on record, except the Cuckmere and Pevensey Levels units. The Lymington unit ranks fifth wettest and the Hampshire Tertiaries and Western Rother Greensand, both in central SSD rank the sixth wettest September to February period.

All these statistics are based on records going back to 1871.

3. Soil moisture deficit and recharge

There are no soil moisture deficits (SMDs) across the SSD in response to the exceptionally high rainfall. Soils across SSD ended the month wetter than the LTA for February.

4. River flows

Monthly mean river flows for February ranged from notably high to exceptionally high across SSD.

Flows were notably high on the:

• River Test at Chilbolton
• River Rother at Iping Mill
• River Arun at Alfoldean
• River Ouse at Goldbridge

Flows were exceptionally high on the:

• River Cuckmere at Cowbeech
• River Medina at Blackwater
• River Test at Broadlands
• River Itchen at Allbrook and Highbridge
• River Meon at Mislingford
• River Lymington at Brockenhurst
• River Wallington at North Fareham
• River Adur at Sakeham

The monthly mean flows for February for all SSD sites ranked within the top 5 highest:

• highest on record for the River Medina at Blackwater (1989) and River Wallington at North Fareham (1976)
• second highest on record for the and the River Lymington at Brockenhurst (1960) and River Adur at Sakeham (1967)
• third highest for the River Meon at Mislingford (1958), River Itchen at Allbrook and Highbridge (1959) and River Test at Broadlands (1958)
• fourth highest for the River Arun at Alfoldean (1970) River Cuckmere at Cowbeech (1968)
• fifth highest for the River Rother at Iping Mill (1966), River Ouse at Gold Bridge (1960) and River Test at Chilbolton

5. Groundwater levels 

End of month groundwater levels for February ranged from normal to exceptionally high.

Groundwater levels were normal at:

• Cornish Farm (East Sussex Chalk)

Groundwater levels were above normal at:

• Youngwoods Copse (Isle of Wight)
• Carisbrooke Castle (Isle of Wight)

Groundwater levels were notably high at:

• Beeding Hill (West Sussex Chalk)
• Harting Common (Western Rother Greensand
• West Meon (East Hampshire Chalk)
• Preston Candover (East Hampshire Chalk)
• Clanville Gate (Test Chalk)

Groundwater levels were exceptionally high at:

• Lopcombe Corner (Test Chalk)
• Catherington (East Hampshire Chalk)
• Houndean Bottom (East Sussex Chalk)
• Chilgrove (West Sussex Chalk)

The exceptionally high groundwater levels for February were the second highest on record at Catherington (1969) and Lopcombe Corner (1963). Groundwater levels for February were also third highest at West Meon Hut (1986), fourth at Houndean Bottom (1977) and fifth at Beeding Hill (1979).

6. Reservoir stocks

End of month reservoir stocks were above average at Ardingly Reservoir (Ouse) and below average at Arlington Reservoir (Cuckmere). Ardingly Reservoir was at 100% of total capacity (LTA 95%), and Arlington Reservoir was at 90.2% of total capacity (LTA 98.5%).

7. Environmental impact 

There were no licence restrictions in place in February.

Flood Alerts were issued over most of SSD between 1 to 19 February (based on date of first issue). Alerts were issued for 37 individual areas and some repeatedly – see full report for details. At the end of the month, no flood alerts were still in place.

Seven groundwater flood alerts issued at the end of January were still in place and remained in place throughout February. There were 12 new groundwater flood alerts issued during February. All 19 groundwater alerts remain in force at the end of February. See full report for details.

Author: HydrologySSD@Environment-agency.gov.uk

Contact Details: 03708 506506

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.