Only 13% of people feel fully prepared for severe winter weather, Met Office survey finds

Only 13% of people surveyed by the Met Office consider themselves fully prepared for severe winter weather, according to research released on 21 October 2026.

The findings were published as Storm Austen approached the UK and provide an insight into how people respond to weather warnings and prepare for seasonal disruption.

The research suggests that awareness of weather risks does not always translate into practical preparations.

What did the survey find?

The Met Office reported that 32% of respondents said they had made some preparations for severe winter weather.

A further 29% had thought about preparing but had not yet taken action.

Meanwhile, 19% said they had not considered preparing at all.

The figures suggest a substantial proportion of respondents had either made limited preparations or none.

However, the findings describe people’s own assessment of their readiness. They do not independently establish how well individual households would cope during an emergency.

Summer weather changed attitudes

The survey also examined how people responded to the UK’s exceptionally hot summer.

More than a quarter of respondents, 27%, said the summer’s weather had made them take warnings and advice more seriously.

Another 29% said they were now more likely to follow advice accompanying future weather warnings.

Among respondents who changed their behaviour during the summer, common actions included closing curtains or blinds during the hottest hours and carrying additional drinking water.

The research therefore suggests that official weather information can influence everyday decisions.

What preparations are people considering?

When asked about winter precautions, 41% mentioned ensuring essential supplies were available at home.

Other commonly mentioned actions included securing garden items before storms, checking forecasts more frequently and preparing vehicles for winter conditions.

These are relatively straightforward measures that do not necessarily involve significant expense.

For households unsure where to begin, a simple emergency plan can identify the supplies, contacts and arrangements needed during a power cut, flood or severe storm.

Prepper Weekly’s household emergency planning guide provides a starting point.

The Met Office is encouraging people to review their preparations as winter approaches.