Red and amber weather warnings have been issued across the UK as Storm Goretti, described by the Met Office as a 'multi-hazard event', brings heavy snow and winds of up to 100mph. The first named storm of 2026 is expected to be more powerful than Storm Ciaran in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987, with up to 30cm of snow forecast in Wales and the Midlands.
Winds of 99mph were recorded at St Mary's airport on the Isles of Scilly, setting a new site record, according to the forecaster. Birmingham Airport suspended runway operations on Thursday night due to heavy snow. The storm intensified into a 'weather bomb', with its central pressure forecast to drop by 36 millibars in 24 hours, well above the threshold of 24 millibars.
A rare red warning for 'dangerous, stormy' winds is in force for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday evening, with emergency alerts sent to mobile phones in those areas. The warnings stretch from Sheffield to Leicester, across the West Midlands and most of Wales, and remain in place until Friday morning. The worst conditions are expected overnight before the storm wanes on Friday.
More than 47,000 properties were without power in south-west England by 9pm, with further outages in the West Midlands and Wales. National Grid has advised residents to keep torches and fully charged phones ready. Water companies have urged customers to protect exposed pipes rather than leave taps running.
Travel disruption is widespread, with rail services cancelled across Wales, Cornwall and north-west England, and National Rail warning of delays on Eurostar routes. National Highways issued an amber snow warning for the Midlands, citing difficult driving conditions in Birmingham, Leicester and Nottingham. Jersey and Guernsey airports will close at 6pm, while other major airports expect to operate normally.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts until 11 January, warning of severe effects on health and social care services. Officials anticipate a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with underlying conditions.
