The city of Birmingham is preparing for a significant deluge, with weather models confirming the arrival of a heavy rainstorm this week. This comes just days after parts of the region were blanketed in snow.
Storm Timeline: 12 Hours of Continuous Rain Forecast
Detailed forecasts from WX Charts, which utilises MetDesk data, indicate a substantial band of rainfall will sweep across the West Midlands on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The downpour is predicted to begin as a light drizzle from around 3pm.
The intensity is then expected to ramp up significantly through the evening. Forecasts suggest rainfall rates will increase to approximately 4.4mm per hour by 6pm, before peaking at a torrential 10.8mm per hour around 9pm. The persistent rain is forecast to ease off in the early hours of Friday, January 16, around 3am, potentially resulting in 12 hours of continuous rainfall soaking the city's streets.
Met Office Outlook: Wet, Windy and Followed by Showers
The national forecaster, the Met Office, aligns with this wet outlook for the region. Their forecast for Thursday describes 'wet and windy weather' pushing north-eastwards across the country.
This will be followed by a day of 'blustery showers' on Friday. The Met Office summary notes that Wednesday will be 'dry and bright but chilly' after a frosty start, with milder conditions expected in the south.
Widespread Rainfall Across the Nation
Weather maps illustrate that this incoming weather system is not isolated to Birmingham. A large wall of rain is shown covering southern England, the Midlands, parts of northern England, and much of Wales.
The colour-coded charts use shades of blue, green, yellow, orange, and even red to signal the heaviest concentrations of rainfall moving across the UK. Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest local forecasts and travel information as the storm approaches.
