Residents across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands have been issued an urgent 'stay indoors' warning as Storm Goretti batters the region with heavy snow. The Met Office has activated an amber weather warning for snow, which came into force on Thursday, January 8 and is set to remain until 9am on Friday, January 9.
Met Office Safety Guidance for the Snow Bomb
In its official guidance for the severe conditions, the Met Office is advising people to remain inside where possible. The public are told to wear 'layers of loose fitting lightweight warm clothing' rather than single bulky items. A critical safety reminder warns: 'Never use a hob or oven to heat your home', due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The amber alert is part of a broader pattern of cold weather driven by a deep area of low pressure, which is bringing a mix of snow, strong winds, and heavy rain to the UK. Wider yellow warnings are also in place across many regions.
Forecasters Predict Significant Snow Accumulation
Weather expert Jo Farrow from Netweather TV provided detailed analysis of the incoming storm. She confirmed the amber warning sits within a larger yellow alert area. Snow is expected to develop initially on higher ground before spreading to lower levels overnight.
Accumulations of 10-15 cm are predicted widely, with a potential for 20-30 cm in some locations, particularly on hills above 200 metres in elevation. Areas such as Wales and the Peak District are highlighted as likely to see the heaviest falls.
The warning period covers Thursday evening through to Friday morning, threatening significant disruption to the commute. Ms Farrow also noted accompanying heavy rain warnings, with the leading edge of rain, sleet, and snow potentially affecting areas up to the Humber, the Peak District, and Merseyside.
A Complex and Tricky Weather System
The forecaster explained that milder air associated with Storm Goretti will affect southern England, but where this meets the existing cold air, sleet and significant snow are likely, especially over hills. As the system moves eastwards overnight, snow is expected to clear from the south but could be followed by wintry conditions in colder air from the north.
'It’s a tricky mix even into Friday morning,' Ms Farrow concluded, noting that models show the South Downs as a potential focus for snow. The advice for Birmingham and the West Midlands remains clear: stay safe, stay warm, and avoid travel unless absolutely essential during the amber warning period.
