The UK is bracing for the first named storm of the year, with Storm Goretti forecast to bring disruptive heavy snow and powerful winds later this week. The severe conditions are set to strike as a bitter cold snap continues to grip the nation, following what the Met Office confirmed was the coldest night of the winter so far.
Met Office Issues Fresh Warnings
The Met Office has escalated its alerts, issuing a series of fresh weather warnings for Wednesday through Friday. This comes after temperatures plummeted to a low of -12.5C (9.5F) in Marham, Norfolk, on Monday night. Other areas, including Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands and London, also experienced sub-zero temperatures early on Tuesday.
For Wednesday, three yellow-level warnings are active. These cover ice for Northern Ireland and much of the UK, plus a warning for snow and ice across northern mainland Scotland, parts of the Outer Hebrides, and the Orkney Islands.
Storm Goretti's Expected Impact
Named by the French meteorological service, Météo-France, Storm Goretti is expected to most heavily affect southern parts of the UK on Thursday and Friday. Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England stated that while the exact track remains uncertain, the most likely scenario involves heavy rain spreading from the southwest on Thursday, turning to snow from around Wales across to East Anglia.
He warned of significant snowfalls and severe gales around southern coasts. The Met Office has now issued a yellow wind warning for southwest England and a yellow snow warning for much of Wales, the Midlands, Bath, Bristol, and Oxford for Thursday.
The snow warning remains in place until midday on Friday, indicating that 5-10 cm of snow may settle widely, with the potential for up to 20 cm in some locations, especially over higher ground.
Ongoing Disruption and Health Alerts
The storm threat compounds existing travel and health concerns. National Rail has reported that train services in northern Scotland will be disrupted until the end of Tuesday due to earlier wintry weather. Furthermore, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber cold health alerts across England until midday on Sunday, urging the public to take precautions.
In Scotland, two amber snow warnings were in effect throughout Tuesday, leading to hundreds of school closures in Shetland, Orkney, and Aberdeenshire. The public is advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts and travel information as Storm Goretti approaches.
