Birmingham Airport has been compelled to halt all operations after heavy snowfall brought by Storm Goretti caused severe disruption across the West Midlands.
Airport Operations Suspended
The airport announced the suspension of all runway activities on the night of Thursday, 8 January 2026. All departures and arrivals were grounded as the tempest swept across the region, dumping significant snow. Airport authorities urged passengers to check their airline for flight status updates and confirmed they would post changes on their website.
This decision led to widespread flight cancellations affecting numerous destinations. Services to and from cities including Paris, Bergamo, Geneva, Delhi, Edinburgh, Belfast, and Amsterdam were among those axed due to the extreme conditions.
Met Office Issues Severe Warnings
The disruption stems from Storm Goretti, which arrived on Thursday night. Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong provided a stark assessment of the situation. He confirmed that the storm had triggered a Red severe weather warning for wind for the Isles of Scilly and much of Cornwall, where gusts could exceed 100mph.
Armstrong detailed that the storm's northern edge was bringing heavy snow to Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England. He warned of widespread accumulations of 10-15cm, with 20-30cm possible on higher ground in Wales and the Peak District. An Amber warning was also in place for areas at greatest risk of disruption from Thursday night into Friday morning.
"This multi-hazard event will bring significant disruption to many," Armstrong stated, advising people in warning areas to follow official forecasts and local authority messages.
Widespread Impact and Ongoing Cold
The storm's effects extended far beyond air travel. In anticipation of hazardous conditions, schools across the Midlands, Wales, and Southwest England were closed on Friday. While airports like East Midlands and Bristol reported no major issues, the cold snap continued to grip the nation.
Further north, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England faced persistent cold with risks of snow and ice. Overnight temperatures plummeted, with Tomintoul in Banffshire recording a low of -14.7°C. Forecasters warned of another freezing night with temperatures widely below zero, potentially sinking to -12°C or lower in areas with lying snow, prompting the likelihood of further weather warnings.
