Storm Goretti has brought dangerous winds and heavy snow to the UK, with gusts of up to 99mph recorded on Thursday. The storm, named by French meteorological service Meteo-France, caused significant travel disruption and power outages affecting around 60,000 homes across England and Wales.
The Met Office issued a red weather warning for wind in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday evening. An amber warning for snow, covering the Midlands, Yorkshire and parts of Wales, was in place until 9am on Friday, leading to school closures and severe travel disruption. The amber 'danger to life' warning has now lifted.
As of midday Friday, three weather warnings remain in place until Saturday. A snow and ice warning covers much of Scotland, the North East, and the East Midlands until 3pm Saturday. An ice warning covers most of the West Midlands and Wales, as well as parts of the North West and South West, ending at midday Saturday. A new snow and ice warning for Northern Ireland lasts until 11am Saturday.
A yellow warning for ice and snow has been issued for Sunday, covering much of Scotland, North East England, and parts of the North West, from 2am to 3pm. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for all of England until Monday at 12pm, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services, including a rise in deaths among vulnerable groups.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, urged people to check on vulnerable friends and family. Chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said Storm Goretti would be a multi-hazard event, with snow accumulations of 5 to 10cm widely, up to 30cm locally in hills. Hundreds of schools remain closed, and rail passengers face line closures, including the Hope Valley line between Sheffield and Manchester.
