The Met Office has issued a rare red 'danger to life' weather warning as Storm Goretti brings 100mph winds and heavy snow to parts of the UK. The alert, in force from 4pm to 11pm on Thursday, covers Cornwall and warns of life-threatening flying debris, travel chaos, and large waves threatening coastal homes.
Storm Goretti, named by French forecaster Meteo France, is described as a 'multi-hazard event'. Up to 30cm of snow is possible in parts of Wales and the Midlands, with wind gusts reaching 100mph in exposed coastal areas of the South West. An amber warning for snow runs from 8pm Thursday to 9am Friday across parts of Wales, the Midlands, and South Yorkshire.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: 'Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far South West.' He advised people in warning areas to keep up to date with forecasts and local authority messages.
The storm is expected to bring a 'weather bomb', with a pressure drop of 36 millibars in 24 hours. Winds could be stronger than recent storms Ciaran and Eunice. Network Rail and East Midlands Railway have begun closing services on branch lines from 8pm Thursday, with trains not expected to run before 10am Friday. Two Night Riviera Sleeper services have been cancelled.
