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Storms Impacts on the Dorset Coast

The UK coastline has taken a battering this January 2026, with a succession of winter storms bringing persistent heavy rainfall and powerful winds to the South West. These energetic conditions have caused noticeable changes along the Dorset coast.

Have you spotted your local beach looking a little different lately?

If you’ve taken a stroll along the Dorset coast recently, you may have noticed some surprising changes. Maybe the sand on your favourite beach has shifted, or the pebbles you usually crunch along on your coastal walk have thinned out or disappeared entirely. You’re not imagining it – January’s run of powerful storms has dramatically reshaped stretches of our coastline.                                                                        

While coastal change is a natural part of life by the sea, the extreme storms of January 2026 have carved, shifted, and sculpted our shores in ways we don’t normally witness in such a short space of time.

The storms that transformed our coast:

  • Storm Goretti – 8–9 January 2026
  • Storm Ingrid – 23–24 January 2026
  • Storm Chandra – 26–27 January 2026

Each storm delivered its own punch, and together they left a striking mark. On Ringstead Beach, for example, the image on right shows how waves have removed large areas of pebbles, revealing bedrock that’s usually hidden beneath. 📷 Dorset Council, 29 January 2026

Is it natural for pebbles and sand to disappear from our Beaches?

Beaches naturally gain and lose material over time. However, the recent changes are more dramatic than usual because of the direction of the winds, particularly during Storm Ingrid. Most of our winter storms arrive from the southwest, and we’re familiar with the way they shape our beaches. Storm Ingrid, however, brought strong southeasterly winds, something far less common at this time of year. The southeasterly wind direction pushed waves onto the shore in a different way, removing beach material from areas that are normally more sheltered. Southeasterly storms are rare in winter, which is why they have caused such noticeable shifts in sand and pebbles along parts of the Dorset coast. It is anticapted that shifted material will return naturally during more consisitant calmer conditions.

Storms Impacts on the Dorset Coast

West Bay

Following the January storms, Dorset Council carried out a major operation to clear approximately 10,000 tonnes of storm‑driven shingle and sediment that had built up in West Bay Harbour, the largest build‑up seen in over 20 years! An 80‑ton crane with a 1‑tonne grab was used to dredge the harbour entrance following repeated south‑easterly storms.

Alongside this work, the Environment Agency carried out its annual beach sea‑defence replenishment. Material recovered from the dredging operations within the harbour was reused as part of this replenishment programme, helping to reinforce coastal defences and reduce flood risk. The Environment Agency have now completed the annual beach replenishment.

Water‑injection dredging trials also ran alongside crane operations, taking advantage of spring tides to help move loosened sediment.  In addition, the Bridport Harbour team continue its routine work of using the sluice gates to flush accumulated sediment from the harbour system. This activity is usually carried out on evening low tide.

Video on right show the crane operations and water-injections trials. 📷 🎥 Dorset Council 

Images: Left: Sand bar in West Bay Harbour entrance. Right: 1-tonne grab used to remove material from Harbour entrance

Weymouth Beach

Weymouth Beach saw huge movement of sand causing crevices and ridges in the sand.

📷 Dorset Council

Swanage Beach

Sand has been completely removed from the main Swanage Beach.

📷 Dorset Council (top)                          📷Swanage Town Council (bottom)

Lyme Regis

Sand was stripped away from the upper section of the beach by Storm Ingrid and formed a new sandy shelf on the lower section of the main town beach at Lyme Regis.

 

Landslides and Rockfalls

Rockfalls and landslips can occur at any time. However, heavy rain, strong winds, large waves and rapidly changing weather conditions can make our coastline even more unpredictable, increasing the likelihood of rockfalls and landslips.

For your safety, avoid visiting coastal locations during storms and always follow local safety advice or any restrictions in place.

General Safety Advice When Visiting the Coast

  • Keep away from cliff edges and avoid sitting, standing, or walking at the base of cliffs – rockfalls can happen without warning.
  • Always read and follow safety signs.
  • Stay on designated paths to the beach and along the coast. Do not follow pets if they stray off the path
  • Check tide times before you set out and keep an eye on the changing conditions.
  • If a landslide or rockfall occurs, move away quickly and call 999 to report it.
  • Do not climb or walk over any landslip or rockfall debris.

👉 Find more detailed guidance on:

Staying safe on the Dorset Coast

Large Cliff Fall at Stonebarrow, Charmouth

These images show a large cliff fall which occurred at Stonebarrow, Charmouth on 11 February 2026, resulting in the loss of part of the South West Coast Path. The coast path at this location is closed, and a diversion has now been put in place. 📷 Dorset Council

Useful links ....

South West Coastal Monitoring

Find out about how our coast is monitored.

 

Beach Levels and monitoring

South West Flood & Coastal information on Poole & Christchurch Bays.

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CoastSnap

Become a community scientist today by simply taking a photo!

Future Coast Click

 Capturing our changing North Swanage coastline.