The UK is bracing for a severe bout of winter weather as Storm Goretti is forecast to blanket parts of the country with up to eight inches (20cm) of snow, accompanied by heavy rain and severe gales. The Met Office has confirmed the storm will sweep across England and Wales on Thursday and Friday, exacerbating the ongoing cold snap that has already seen hundreds of schools close and caused significant travel disruption nationwide.
Widespread Disruption and Severe Warnings
Meteorologists have issued new yellow warnings for snow and wind across South West England, the Midlands, and Wales. Wind gusts could reach 70mph on exposed coasts in Devon and Cornwall, while higher ground in England and Wales faces the heaviest snowfall. The Met Office stated that snow is likely to develop over higher ground in South Wales late on Thursday before rain turns to snow more widely across England and Wales overnight.
While London and the southwest may escape significant snow, Scotland is experiencing further wintry showers. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its amber cold health alerts for England until Sunday, citing ongoing concerns over a potential 'rise in deaths' linked to the freezing conditions.
Transport Network in Turmoil
The nation's transport infrastructure is struggling to cope. Roads, railways, and airports are facing severe delays. At least 775 schools have been forced to close, with significant closures in Northern Ireland, Aberdeenshire, Carmarthenshire, and Staffordshire.
Major rail operators are advising passengers not to travel. LNER issued a 'do not travel' warning between Edinburgh and Aberdeen due to significant snowfall, while Eurostar cancelled services from London to Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Multiple points failures and overhead wire damage have crippled services across the network, including the Elizabeth line, Great Western Railway, and parts of the London Underground.
Air travel is also affected, with flights cancelled at Aberdeen and Inverness airports, primarily on routes to Amsterdam. In Glasgow, the subway network was suspended due to a power failure caused by ice on the third rail.
Dangerous Conditions and Community Response
Temperatures have plummeted across the UK, with an overnight low of -12.5C (13.8F) recorded at Marham in Norfolk. The cold has created hazardous conditions, highlighted by a dramatic incident in Essex where two men fell through the ice at Connaught Water in Epping Forest while attempting to rescue a dog. Both men were eventually pulled to safety, with one taken to hospital, and the dog was reunited with its owner. Essex Fire and Rescue Service urged the public not to enter frozen water and to call 999 instead.
The severity of the situation in Scotland has prompted calls for military assistance. Conservative MP Andrew Bowie warned of a 'critical' situation in the north and east, with some communities cut off from essential food and medical supplies. He has urged the Scottish Government to consider mobilising all available resources, including the armed forces.
First Minister John Swinney acknowledged the 'significant' impact of the snow and praised the 'truly exceptional' efforts of farmers, volunteers, and the public in aiding recovery efforts. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of vulnerable households are receiving £25 cold weather payments to help with heating costs during the freeze.
