Police have issued a furious rebuke to visitors who flocked to Snowdonia during a severe storm, abandoning their vehicles in dangerous positions on snowbound roads in a bid to capture winter photos.
"Ridiculous Parking" Puts Lives at Risk
North Wales Police blasted the behaviour of tourists who descended on the Eryri (Snowdonia) national park as Storm Goretti battered parts of the UK with hurricane-force winds, snow, and flooding. Despite clear warnings, hundreds of cars were dumped along icy carriageways, with officers describing the scene as "ridiculous parking" that put lives in jeopardy.
Inspector Jason Diamond said the actions over the weekend of January 10-11, 2026, were both irresponsible and disappointing. The poorly parked cars forced pedestrians into the path of oncoming traffic and severely hampered access for emergency services at a time when conditions were already treacherous.
Copycat Mentality and Avalanche Warnings Ignored
Insp. Diamond explained that a copycat mentality took hold, with drivers opting to park wherever others had, without considering the safety implications. "We seldom get snow flurries like we have seen in recent days, so our general motoring public are not used to driving on snow and ice," he stated.
The chaos was compounded by reports of so-called brazen hikers attempting to climb Snowdon itself, even though the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team had issued an avalanche warning for the area.
Officers warned that vehicles left in dangerous locations could be towed, but noted that each removal had to be carefully risk-assessed due to the perilous icy conditions.
Local Leaders Echo Safety Pleas
Local leaders joined police in urging visitors to act responsibly. Gwynedd Councillor Craig ab Iago asked people to plan ahead and respect communities. "If you are coming to areas such as Pen y Pass to walk or to enjoy the views, please plan your visit carefully and respect others and our communities," he said.
He also warned that mountain weather can change rapidly, disrupting roads and public transport, and advised everyone to check forecasts before travelling.
The incident occurred as the aftermath of Storm Goretti continued to cause disruption across Britain, with yellow weather warnings for snow and ice in place and tens of thousands of homes still without power. Tragically, the storm claimed a life in Cornwall when a tree fell onto a caravan, killing a man in his 50s.
Inspector Diamond concluded with a stark reminder of the consequences: "Irresponsible behaviour for the benefit of a walk or some Instagram photos increases the demand on our emergency and volunteer services who could be focusing on dealing with real emergencies."
