The United Kingdom is braced for another day of severe wintry weather on Sunday, 11 January 2026, as a complex system of warnings for snow, ice, wind and rain remains active across the nation. This follows the devastating impact of Storm Goretti, which brought destructive gusts and tragic consequences earlier in the week.
Storm Goretti's Fatal Impact and Ongoing Disruption
The storm's ferocity was demonstrated when it unleashed wind gusts of almost 100mph, prompting the Met Office to issue a rare red warning for "dangerous, stormy" winds in the South West. The human cost became starkly clear in Helston, Cornwall, where police confirmed a man in his 50s was found dead in a caravan after a tree fell onto the vehicle on Thursday evening.
As of Saturday evening, the storm's legacy continued to disrupt daily life. Thousands of properties were still without power, according to the National Grid's website. National Rail has also warned that disruption to train services could persist until Monday, causing significant travel headaches for commuters and travellers alike.
Extensive Weather Warnings in Force
Forecasters have kept a multitude of alerts in place for Sunday, covering vast swathes of the country. The most severe is an amber warning for snow across parts of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Moray, and the Highlands, valid until 2pm. This alert warns of potential blizzard conditions, with up to 30cm of snow possible above 300 metres and significant drifting.
Meanwhile, a broader yellow warning for snow and ice blankets much of Scotland, the East and West Midlands, north-east and north-west England, and Yorkshire until 3pm. Separate yellow warnings for heavy rain are active in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland, with up to 110mm of rainfall forecast for parts of the Scottish Highlands by Monday morning. Further wind warnings for Scotland predict gusts potentially reaching 70mph.
Infrastructure Strain and Government Response
The severe conditions have placed considerable strain on utilities. Government minister Mary Creagh described ongoing water supply issues in the South East and South West as "entirely unacceptable." She chaired an emergency meeting with water companies to prioritise restoring supplies for vulnerable customers.
South East Water reported that customers in areas like East Grinstead, West Sussex, have had no water or low pressure since Saturday morning, with a resolution not expected until the end of the weekend. In Cornwall, South West Water stated a major fault at Wendron water treatment works, compounded by storm damage and power cuts, had caused severe disruption, though supplies have been restored to over half of those affected. Both companies have set up bottled water stations.
Transition to Milder but Unsettled Conditions
Met Office forecaster Craig Snell indicated that a change is on the horizon, albeit a messy one. A new weather system bringing milder air and rain will clash with the existing cold air, leading to a temporary return to snow and a risk of ice before temperatures begin to rise.
"It will herald a very different flavour of weather for all of us as we go into next week," said Snell, predicting "unsettled" conditions. He forecast temperatures of 9C to 11C in the south and 6C to 8C in the north, marking a definitive end to the recent severe cold spell. However, he cautioned that Sunday would remain wet and windy in southern regions, with coastal gales still possible.
The Met Office continues to advise the public in warning areas to prepare for difficult travel conditions, allow extra time for journeys, and take care to avoid slips and falls on icy surfaces.
