Red and amber weather warnings have been issued across the UK as Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, evolves into a 'weather bomb'. The Met Office warns of up to 30cm of snow in Wales and the Midlands, and winds of up to 100mph (160km/h) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Described as a 'multi-hazard event', Storm Goretti is expected to be more powerful than Storm Ciarán in 2023 and the Great Storm of 1987. Winds of 99mph were recorded at St Mary's airport on the Isles of Scilly, a new record for the site. The storm's central pressure is forecast to drop by 36 millibars in 24 hours, well above the 24-millibar threshold for a weather bomb.
Birmingham Airport suspended its runway due to heavy snow on Thursday night. More than 47,000 properties were without power in the south-west, with 5,000 in the West Midlands and 2,000 in Wales. An emergency alert was issued to mobile phones in the Isles of Scilly and Cornwall. The Met Office warned of damage to buildings, power lines, and coastal areas from large waves.
Travel disruption is widespread, with rail services cancelled in Wales, Cornwall, and north-west England, and Eurostar routes likely delayed. National Highways issued an amber snow warning for the Midlands. Major airports remain open except Jersey and Guernsey, which close at 6pm. Amber cold weather health alerts are in place until 11 January, with a predicted rise in deaths among the elderly and vulnerable.
The red warning for wind in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is in force from Thursday evening, while amber snow warnings cover much of Wales and the Midlands until Friday morning. Yellow warnings for wind, snow, and rain extend across large parts of England and Wales. The worst weather is expected overnight before the storm wanes on Friday.
