An amber weather warning for snow is now active across the West Midlands as Storm Goretti sweeps in, bringing a high risk of heavy snowfall, significant travel disruption, and dangerous conditions from Thursday night into Friday morning.
Transport Networks Grind to a Halt
Major rail operators, including West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, have confirmed services will be reduced from 7pm on Thursday. Passengers are being strongly advised to travel only if essential and to complete journeys by early evening where possible.
Network Rail has warned that reduced timetables will affect routes across the West Midlands and neighbouring regions, with further overnight disruption likely. On the roads, National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for the West and East Midlands, cautioning that snow could create hazardous driving conditions from 6pm Thursday through to Friday morning.
Public Safety Urged as Disruption Spreads
Authorities are urging the public to avoid all unnecessary travel. For essential journeys, people are advised to check transport updates before setting out and to allow considerable extra time. Drivers should prepare for poor visibility, icy roads, and lengthy delays.
Pedestrians are also warned to take extreme care on slippery pavements. In a community-focused move, some West Midlands pubs are closing early for staff safety but are offering to keep their doors open as a safe place for those caught in the severe conditions.
School Closures and Outlook
The storm's impact has forced numerous schools across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands to announce closures for Friday. Parents and guardians are urged to check the latest updates from their specific schools.
While conditions are expected to improve later on Friday morning, disruption is likely to continue well into the day as transport and other services work to recover from the effects of Storm Goretti.
