The Met Office has issued an extremely rare red weather warning for Storm Goretti, urging people in affected areas to stay indoors. The storm is described as a 'multi-hazard event', bringing up to 30cm of snow and wind gusts of up to 100mph.
The red warning covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, in effect from 4pm until midnight on Thursday. The Met Office warns of 'exceptionally strong' northwesterly winds, with peak gusts of 80-100mph or more in exposed areas. Violent gusts could persist for two to three hours before easing.
People are advised to avoid travel and secure loose items such as bins, garden furniture, and trampolines. The Met Office states: 'It is not safe to drive in these conditions. Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury.'
Storm Goretti also brings snow to parts of Wales and the Midlands, with accumulations of 10-15cm widely expected, and up to 20-30cm on higher ground. Heavy rain may cause disruption in Wales and East Anglia. Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: 'This is a complex spell of severe weather.'
