Hundreds of schools across the United Kingdom will remain shut on Friday, 9th January 2026, as the country braces for severe disruption from Storm Goretti. The powerful weather system swept in overnight, dumping significant snow and creating treacherous icy conditions that have forced widespread closures from Scotland to Wales and the Midlands.
Nationwide Disruption to Education
The scale of the disruption is substantial. In Scotland, over 250 schools will be closed on Friday, a reduction from the roughly 440 that were shut on Wednesday. The worst-hit areas include Aberdeenshire, with over 150 closures, alongside dozens in the Highlands and Aberdeen, and several in Moray.
Further south, dozens of schools across the Midlands and Wales have announced they will not open. In Shropshire alone, more than two dozen schools are affected. Parents are urged to check the status of their child's school by visiting the official government website and entering their postcode for the latest local information.
Met Office Issues 'Danger to Life' Amber Warning
The closures come as the Met Office enforces a series of severe weather warnings. Most critically, an amber 'danger to life' warning for snow is in force from 8pm on Thursday until 9am on Friday. This alert covers the East Midlands, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire & Humber, and Wales.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong stated: "Heavy snow will affect Wales, the Midlands and parts of northern England overnight and through Friday morning. This multi-hazard event will bring significant disruption to many." He warned of widespread accumulations of 10 to 15cm of snow, with the potential for 20 to 30cm on higher ground in Wales and the Peak District.
The amber warning highlights risks of power cuts, stranded vehicles, and rural communities becoming cut off. Additionally, two separate yellow warnings for snow and ice are active across much of England, eastern Scotland, and Northern Ireland until midday on Friday.
Storm Goretti's Fierce Arrival
Storm Goretti's force was felt ahead of the snow, with a rare red weather warning issued on Thursday evening. Gusts of 99mph were recorded on the Isles of Scilly, demonstrating the system's intensity. The storm is now bringing its northern edge across the country, with rain turning to heavy snow as temperatures plummet.
Authorities are advising the public in affected areas to avoid non-essential travel, stay updated on forecasts, and heed messages from local emergency services. The combination of high winds, significant snowfall, and ice presents a complex and hazardous situation likely to cause travel chaos and further disruptions throughout Friday.
