Storm Goretti has caused widespread disruption across the UK, bringing hurricane-force winds, heavy snow, and power outages. The Met Office issued a rare red 'danger to life' weather warning as winds of nearly 100mph hit the South West and snow blanketed Scotland, the Midlands, and Wales.
A peak gust of 99mph was recorded at St Marys on the Isles of Scilly, the highest since 1991, while a weather station in Cornwall reported hurricane-force gales of 123mph. Nearly 150,000 households lost power, with 37,000 still without electricity in the South West by Friday evening.
Travel disruption was severe, with at least 69 flights cancelled at Heathrow, affecting over 9,000 passengers. East Midlands and Birmingham airports reopened after snow closures. Key roads were closed in Cornwall, northern England, and Scotland due to snow, ice, and fallen trees, and around 250 schools—mostly in Scotland—remained shut on Friday.
Snow accumulations reached 27cm at Altnaharra in Sutherland, 26cm at Loch Glascarnoch, and 22cm at Durris. The Met Office warned of further snow on Sunday, with a yellow warning in place for much of Scotland. Chief forecaster Steve Willington said 2-5cm of snow could accumulate at low levels, with 10-20cm over higher ground, likely causing ongoing disruption.
Yellow weather warnings for snow, ice, and rain cover most of the UK until Saturday, with a separate ice warning for England and Wales. The combination of melting snow and rain also increases flood risk in the coming days.
