A biting cold has gripped the nation, unleashing a cascade of disruption as Storm Goretti swept across the UK. Homes have been battered, travel networks thrown into chaos, and a widespread threat of ice has emerged, extending warnings into the weekend.
The most dramatic scenes unfolded in Truro, Cornwall, where two large trees succumbed to the storm’s force, crashing onto a house. Elsewhere, blizzard-like conditions descended upon the Midlands, transforming familiar landscapes into treacherous, white expanses.
National Rail is bracing for significant disruption across England, Wales, and Scotland throughout the weekend. Yellow warnings for snow and ice remain in effect, compounded by the danger of freezing fog and partially thawed snow refreezing overnight. The Met Office warns of a “widespread ice risk” as temperatures plummet.
Wales and southwest England are particularly vulnerable to icy conditions, with continued wintry showers adding to the hazard. Freezing fog patches are also expected, creating an additional layer of peril for drivers and pedestrians. The combination of melting snow and rainfall is also raising concerns about potential flooding in the coming days.
The impact has been felt acutely in power networks. At one point, approximately 28,000 properties in the South West were without electricity, alongside nearly 1,700 in the West Midlands and 150 in the East Midlands. Thankfully, power has been fully restored in Wales.
Snowfall has been substantial, with 15cm recorded at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, 7cm at Preston Montford in Shropshire and Nottingham, and a staggering 27cm at Altnaharra in Sutherland, Scotland. Rainfall totals have also been significant, with Cornwall’s Colliford Dam recording 61.8mm.
Northern Ireland is also under a yellow warning for snow and ice, anticipating icy patches and hill snow until Saturday morning. A broader warning encompassing much of Scotland, the Midlands, and northern England will remain in place until Sunday afternoon, potentially bringing an additional 2-5cm of snow, and up to 20cm at higher elevations.
Meteorologist Dan Stroud describes the weekend forecast as “unsettled and cold,” with coastal areas facing continued wintry showers. While Saturday will be mostly dry with lingering frost, Sunday will see a shift as rain moves eastward, turning to snow inland across the north Midlands and beyond.
Winds will intensify throughout the weekend, with coastal gales and the potential for severe gales in the northwest. Looking ahead, the unsettled pattern is expected to continue into next week, though temperatures will gradually return to near-normal values, offering a glimmer of relief from the prolonged cold snap.
