A rare and dangerous red weather warning has been issued by the Met Office as Storm Goretti prepares to batter the United Kingdom with potentially devastating force. The storm, named by Meteo France, is expected to make landfall within hours, bringing a triple threat of violent winds, heavy snow, and torrential rain.
Met Office Issues First Red Alert of 2026
The Met Office escalated its warnings after the storm underwent explosive intensification over Europe. What began as a series of yellow and amber alerts has now become the agency's first red-level warning of the year, indicating a significant danger to life. The most severe alert is focused on the southwest coast, particularly Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where wind gusts could reach a terrifying 100 miles per hour.
Forecasters have characterised the incoming winds as "exceptionally strong" and warn they could cause severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, widespread power cuts, and generate huge, life-threatening waves along coastal areas. The red warning is in effect for Thursday evening, with the violent conditions expected to persist for two to three hours before easing.
Wind, Snow, and Rain: A Triple Hazard
Chief meteorologist at British Weather Services, Jim Dale, explained to the Daily Mirror that the storm will arrive in distinct, hazardous phases. "Wind will come first, snow second, and rain third - in that order," he stated. "All have severe hazards attached to them, depending on where people live."
While the southwest faces the brunt of the wind, other regions are braced for significant snowfall. Dale estimates that some areas could see seven to eight inches of snow, which is likely to cause major travel disruption. Following the snow, a final deluge of rain is predicted, with a yellow warning for heavy rain covering much of the east coast from Suffolk to Hull until late Friday. Forecasters warn of 20-30mm of rainfall widely, and up to 40-60mm in some spots, raising the risk of flooding.
Nationwide Disruption and Safety Advice
A patchwork of further yellow and amber weather warnings remains in force across the country until the weekend, covering wind, snow, and rain. The Met Office has urged the public, especially those in the red warning zone, to take immediate precautions. The stark advice is to stay indoors and avoid travel during the peak of the storm.
The agency's warning for the southwest is unequivocal: "Storm Goretti will bring a period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds... Winds are expected to increase rapidly from 30-40 mph with violent gusts." With conditions deemed exceptionally dangerous, officials stress that the red warning signifies a direct threat to life from flying debris, damage to property, and extremely hazardous coastal conditions.
