As a powerful storm system, named Goretti, sweeps across the UK, the Met Office has issued a series of red and amber weather warnings for heavy snowfall and high winds. The storm, described as a “multi-hazard event”, is expected to be more severe than the notorious Storm Ciarán in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987.
The Met Office forecasts that Goretti will bring up to 30 centimetres of snow to Wales and the Midlands, with wind speeds reaching up to 100 mph (160 km/h) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This has prompted the authorities to take urgent action, including the suspension of operations at Birmingham Airport and the issuance of emergency alerts to residents in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall.
The storm’s rapid intensification, known as a “weather bomb”, is causing significant disruption across the country. Winds of 99 mph have already been recorded at St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly, setting a new record for the site. The weather is expected to cause widespread damage, with the potential for roofs being blown off, power lines brought down, and coastal areas facing the threat of large waves and beach material being thrown onto roads and homes.
As a result of the extreme conditions, more than 47,000 properties in the south-west are currently without power, with a further 5,000 and 2,000 affected in the West Midlands and Wales, respectively. The National Grid has issued guidelines for the public, advising them to keep a torch and a fully charged mobile phone ready for use.
The heavy snowfall is not limited to Wales and the Midlands, with up to 20 centimetres expected in South Yorkshire as well. Yellow weather warnings for wind, snow, and rain have been issued across much of England and Wales, with travel disruptions anticipated on roads, railways, and even some airports.
In response to the severe weather, the UK Health Security Agency has put in place amber cold weather alerts until 11 January, warning of the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with underlying health conditions.
Meanwhile, Scotland is already grappling with the aftermath of several days of heavy snow, which has caused widespread travel disruption. More than 250 schools are expected to remain closed on Friday, including over 150 in Aberdeenshire, dozens in the Highlands, and a number in Moray.
As the storm continues to batter the UK, authorities are urging the public to take necessary precautions and to avoid unnecessary travel. The Met Office has warned that the worst of the weather is expected to hit overnight, before the storm begins to subside on Friday.
