The UK woke up to a country in turmoil as Storm Goretti unleashed its full force overnight.
Homes are without power, roads are blocked, and travel plans have been thrown into disarray.
From airports shutting down to schools closing, the storm has made its mark across the nation.
Power Cuts Hit Thousands
The South West has been hardest hit, with more than 43,000 homes reported without electricity early Friday morning.
The West Midlands saw roughly 14,000 properties affected, while Wales and the East Midlands experienced smaller but still significant outages, with hundreds of homes without power.
The National Grid assured residents in the south west that services would be restored as quickly as possible, aiming for 8am Friday.
Airports and Flights Grounded
Air travel has been severely disrupted. Birmingham Airport had to shut overnight after snow covered the runway, while Heathrow canceled dozens of flights due to the extreme weather.
East Midlands Airport confirmed that heavy snowfall had closed its runway, advising passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Rail and Road Travel Disrupted
Commuters face major challenges as rail services struggle under the storm’s impact.
Network Rail suspended all trains in Cornwall from 6pm Thursday, with Devon routes also affected due to high winds.
West Midlands Railway warned travelers not to journey until Friday afternoon, and London Northwestern Railway canceled all morning services between Birmingham and Liverpool Lime Street.
Roads are equally treacherous.
The A30 in Cornwall is closed in both directions after fallen trees blocked the route.
Devon and Cornwall Police are managing the scene while the National Highways update travel advisories.
Schools Close Amid Severe Conditions
Hundreds of schools have announced closures.
In Cornwall, nearly 100 schools closed early Thursday, while over 250 schools in Scotland remain shuttered.
Dozens of schools in the Midlands and Wales are also closed, leaving many students still away from classrooms after the festive break.
Record-Breaking Winds and Heavy Snow
The storm brought winds reaching 99mph at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly, a new record for the location.
Snowfall is equally severe, with 16cm recorded in Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, and 8cm in Nottingham overnight.
The Met Office has described Storm Goretti as a “multi-hazard event,” warning of up to 30cm of snow in some areas and dangerous travel conditions nationwide.
Weather Warnings Across the UK
Red, amber, and yellow weather warnings remain in place. Cornwall residents received government alerts warning of life-threatening conditions.
Amber snow alerts cover Wales, the Midlands, and parts of northern England, predicting 10-15cm of snow, with higher elevations seeing up to 30cm.
Yellow warnings for wind and snow affect large swathes of Scotland, the south coast, and England.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong explained, “Storm Goretti will bring a combination of snow, wind, and rain across different parts of the UK.
The strongest snow will be in Wales and the Midlands, while the South West faces the highest wind speeds. Disruption is likely across all modes of travel.”
What Residents Should Expect
Travelers are urged to check all routes before heading out. Power outages, road closures, and canceled services may continue through Friday.
Schools remain closed in affected areas, and emergency services are on high alert.
Storm Goretti is expected to ease gradually, but the Met Office reminds the public to remain cautious and monitor local advisories as the day progresses.
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