Storm Goretti is set to bring heavy snow and dangerous winds to large parts of the UK from Thursday evening, prompting authorities to issue amber weather warnings across Wales, the Midlands and Cornwall. The storm, named by Meteo France, is approaching from the south-west and threatens to cause widespread travel disruption and power cuts.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy snow covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and South Yorkshire from 8pm Thursday to 9am Friday. Forecasters expect 5-10cm of snow widely across affected areas, with potential accumulations of 15-25cm and locally up to 30cm in some places. Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said: «Storm Goretti is on its way, arriving later tomorrow and affecting us through tomorrow and into Friday, bringing some strong winds and some significant snow to central and perhaps southern parts.»
Severe disruption expected
Snowfall of 20cm or more is considered «enough to cause some severe disruption», according to Burkill. The amber warnings indicate an «increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather» compared to standard yellow alerts. Anticipated impacts include delays or cancellations to trains and planes, rural communities potentially being cut off, power cuts and disruption to mobile signals. The Met Office warns of difficult travelling conditions and a potential risk to life and property.
Dangerous wind gusts
A separate amber warning for strong winds covers parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from 5pm to 11pm Thursday. Wind gusts of 50-60mph are forecast across south-western areas during Thursday afternoon and evening, with 60-70mph on exposed hills and coasts. In the most «exposed places» of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, gusts could reach 80-90mph.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a «multi-hazard event», combining heavy rain, strong winds and snow. Burkill explained: «As that rain pushes its way and it hits against that cold air that we currently have across us… and so on the northern edge, we are likely to see some fairly significant snow as we go through later tomorrow and into Friday.»
Multiple regions affected
Yellow warnings remain in force across much of the country. Scotland faces a yellow snow and ice warning from 10pm Wednesday until midday Thursday, while Northern Ireland has a yellow ice warning from midnight to 10am Thursday. A broad yellow snow warning covers a large part of England and much of Wales from 5pm Thursday until midday Friday. Yellow rain warnings apply to eastern England from 6pm Thursday to 9pm Friday and western Wales from midday Thursday to 10am Friday.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts valid until January 11. The storm arrives just a day after two buses carrying school children crashed on icy roads on Wednesday.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
