The UK has been hit hard by Storm Goretti, causing widespread power cuts affecting tens of thousands of people, with further disruptions expected. The Met Office issued a rare red warning for dangerous stormy winds in one region, leading to travel chaos as extreme winds and heavy snow impact cars, trains, and planes. Additionally, amber warnings for snow cover a significant part of the country, with yellow warnings issued for snow, rain, wind, and ice across most areas.
School closures are anticipated nationwide due to the Met Office warning of up to 30cm of snow and ongoing severe weather conditions. The West Midlands and Eastern Wales are expected to be the worst affected regions, with an amber weather warning in place for heavy snow, causing disruptions and hazardous travel conditions in cities like Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, and Worcester.
Parts of the UK, particularly in the West Midlands and Eastern Wales, experienced rare red warnings for dangerous winds, with gusts reaching 99mph in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The region continues to face strong winds under a yellow weather warning, posing risks of injuries, property damage, and power outages. The Midlands has also been issued with amber and yellow snow warnings, affecting major areas like Birmingham, Derby, and Wolverhampton.
Travel disruptions persist as snow impacts roads, rail networks, and airports, with closures and delays reported. East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport faced closures due to heavy snowfall but have since reopened with potential delays. Rail services in Birmingham and surrounding areas are advised against until midday, with some lines possibly remaining closed until Saturday.
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice are affecting various regions in the North, including West Yorkshire, County Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland, leading to travel disruptions. Near-freezing temperatures will likely sustain the snowfall into the weekend, especially in Scotland, where more snow accumulation is expected over higher ground. Wales is under amber snow and yellow rain warnings, causing significant travel chaos, with Transport for Wales suspending most of its services.
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