Winter storm. Photo: Alex Igna Cold weather has taken over the UK, and a stubborn area of low pressure will bring a new round of snow, strong winds, and heavy rain. Amber weather warnings are in force in several areas from Thursday 17:00 (GMT) to Friday 9:00 (GMT), alongside a large number of Yellow warnings.
Storm Goretti, named by Météo-France, is expected to hit the Channel Islands and northern France. Southern England and Wales will also feel its effects, particularly in the southwest. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are under an Amber warning for strong winds, with gusts expected to cause disruption.
Snow is another major concern. Wales and parts of the Midlands are likely to see the heaviest falls, prompting an additional Amber warning in those areas. Rain will add to the challenges, especially across Wales and eastern England as the storm tracks east.
Heavy snow fall. Photo: Alex IgnaElsewhere, Scotland is expected to see more snow on Thursday morning, while icy conditions are likely in Northern Ireland. As of the morning of January 7, the deepest lying snow reported by the Met Office network was 46cm at Tomintoul in Banffshire.
Health officials are also keeping a close eye on the cold. UKHSA Amber cold weather health alerts remain in place across all regions of England until January 11, reflecting the ongoing risk to vulnerable people.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong called Storm Goretti a “multi-hazard event” due to the mix of snow, heavy rain, and powerful winds.
Travel disruption is a real possibility over the coming days. The Met Office warns that road conditions could be hazardous, with train and bus services also affected. In southern England, heavy rain could cause further problems late Thursday and into Friday morning.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson urged drivers to think carefully before setting off. She said: “In the areas worst affected by Storm Goretti, drivers need to be considering if it’s safe to get behind the wheel. As temperatures plummet, breakdowns rise, especially as older, less reliable batteries tend to fail more often in cold conditions.
“The key is allowing more time at every stage of the journey, whether that's clearing vehicles of snow and ice before setting off or reducing the speed at which you’re travelling to suit the conditions.
Driving in the snow. Photo: Alex Igna“Never be tempted to use hot water to clear a frozen windscreen which, rather than being a ‘hack’ could actually lead to an expensive crack. Instead, leave more time before setting off and carry a decent scraper and de-icer so you can clear the windscreen quickly. Stick to major roads that are more likely to be clear of snow and stay tuned to weather forecasts to decide if it’s a good idea to drive.
“It’s important to have plenty of screen wash that protects down to at least -10°C, ensuring you always have a clear view due to all the dirt from gritted roads.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Storm Goretti is likely to lose its grip by Friday evening as it will proceed to move east. Saturday weather conditions should be calmer in many regions, with fewer showers, clouds in the east, and some sunshine elsewhere.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway: “It’ll remain cold or very cold to start the weekend, although for most it will be dry. We then have very large uncertainties in the forecast by Sunday and Monday as milder air from the Atlantic tries to displace the cold air over the UK. This set up brings a risk of some further widespread snowfall, so it’s important to stay aware of the forecast and any warnings which may be issued over the next few days.”