The UK is braced for a significant snow dump as Storm Goretti sweeps in from the Atlantic, threatening to bring up to eight inches of accumulation to some regions. The impending storm follows a bitter, days-long Arctic blast that has already iced over pavements, closed schools, and sent temperatures plummeting well below zero.
Widespread Warnings and Disruption
Three separate yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are blanketing much of the nation today, Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The most extensive alert for ice covers almost all of Scotland and England, sparing only parts of Cornwall and the Welsh coast. A separate warning for snow and ice is active across northern Scotland for the entire day, while a third ice warning is in place for Northern Ireland.
The Met Office has warned that these conditions are likely to cause travel delays, including potential cancellations for trains and flights. There is also a heightened risk of power outages, which could affect mobile phone reception, and injuries from slips and falls on treacherous surfaces.
Health Alerts and the 'Penguin Waddle'
In response to the severe cold, the UK Health Security Agency has issued level two amber cold health alerts for almost all of England. The agency stressed that the freezing conditions could severely impact health and social care services and increase the risk of mortality, particularly for older people and those with existing health conditions. These alerts are expected to remain until at least Sunday.
With icy pavements posing a major hazard, the NHS is advising pedestrians to adopt an unusual but effective technique: waddle like a penguin. By keeping arms out to the side and taking short, shuffling steps, you maintain your centre of gravity closer to your feet, reducing the risk of a dangerous fall.
Storm Goretti's Snow Forecast
Named by the French national weather service, Storm Goretti is set to arrive from the Atlantic on Thursday and persist into Friday. While some forecasts suggest the Home Counties could see the heaviest accumulations of up to eight inches, expert forecaster Jim Dale of British Weather Services offered a slightly different prediction.
He told Metro: "The storm will dump the snow especially across Wales and the Midlands. Not eight inches, but more like five inches or 12cm. Scotland of course have much, much more even now." Dale explained that a lingering blob of Polar air hovering over the UK for about a week is behind the prolonged cold snap, noting that temperatures are slightly less cold today as the country awaits the storm's arrival.
Residents across the UK are urged to stay updated on the latest forecasts, prepare for potential disruption, and exercise extreme caution if venturing outside in the coming days.
