The Met Office has escalated weather warnings across England as Storm Goretti threatens to blanket vast swathes of the country in heavy snow. With up to 30 centimetres forecast in some areas, the national forecaster has issued a series of yellow and amber alerts active from Thursday, January 8, into Friday, January 9.
Widespread Disruption Expected
Meteorologists warn that the incoming storm is likely to cause significant travel chaos and dangerous conditions. The Met Office states that the heavy snow brought by Storm Goretti will lead to disruption and difficult travelling conditions from late Thursday through Friday.
Potential impacts include severe delays on road networks, with a risk of vehicles and passengers becoming stranded. Rail and air travellers are also advised to prepare for possible cancellations and lengthy delays. In more remote regions, there is a genuine concern that some rural communities could become cut off entirely.
Beyond transport, the severe weather may trigger power cuts and affect other essential services, including mobile phone networks. The public is urged to take precautions.
Freezing Temperatures Compound the Danger
BBC Weather presenter and meteorologist Sarah Keith-Lucas highlighted the added peril of rapidly plunging temperatures. "As the sun has now set, temperatures are dropping quickly, and are expected to fall below freezing again tonight for many northern and eastern parts of the UK," she explained.
She noted that the coldest spots in eastern Scotland could see temperatures as low as -7°C, leading to a widespread reformation of ice on surfaces. While the primary ice warning covers Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the far north of England, Keith-Lucas cautioned that patchy icy stretches are possible almost anywhere.
This combination of snow and ice significantly increases the risks of injuries from slips and falls, as well as making driving on untreated roads extremely hazardous.
Full List of Affected Areas in England
The Met Office has specified 46 local authority areas and counties under the weather warnings for snow. Residents in the following locations should stay updated on the latest forecasts:
- Devon
- Somerset
- Derby & Derbyshire
- Leicester & Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
- Bedford
- Cambridgeshire
- Central Bedfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Luton
- Peterborough
- Buckinghamshire
- Milton Keynes
- Oxfordshire
- West Berkshire
- Durham
- Northumberland
- Cheshire East
- Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- Lancashire
- Bath and North East Somerset
- Bristol
- Gloucestershire
- North Somerset
- South Gloucestershire
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
- Herefordshire
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Telford and Wrekin
- Warwickshire
- West Midlands Conurbation
- Worcestershire
- North Yorkshire
- South Yorkshire
- West Yorkshire
National Rail has echoed these warnings, advising that rail customers in northern Scotland should expect cancellations, alterations, or delays. They have issued a blanket 'check before you travel' advisory for all routes across Wales, England, and Scotland until Friday.
With Storm Goretti poised to strike, authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution, plan journeys meticulously, and monitor official updates for their local area.
