What began as a normal winter morning quickly turned alarming for residents on a suburban street in Sheffield.
With roads glazed by invisible black ice, a council van suddenly lost control, sliding downhill with no way to stop.
Within moments, calm gave way to chaos as the vehicle skidded straight into several parked cars, leaving shocked onlookers frozen in disbelief.
Black Ice Sends Van Skidding Into Parked Cars
Footage captured the terrifying moment the council van glided helplessly down the icy road, smashing into one parked vehicle after another before finally grinding to a halt.
The road surface was coated with black ice — a thin, almost invisible layer formed when moisture freezes on tarmac — making braking nearly impossible.
Cars were left scattered across the street as residents watched the scene unfold.
Shocked Reactions Caught on Camera
As the van slid uncontrollably, the man filming could be heard reacting in real time, muttering comments like “that’s the council for you” and warning that the driver “is not going to be alright.”
He summed it up bluntly: “It is chaos.”
His words echoed the disbelief shared by neighbours who had just watched their street turn into a crash zone.
Storm Goretti Wreaks Havoc Beyond Sheffield
The Sheffield incident was just one example of the disruption caused by Storm Goretti, which battered large parts of the UK.
Across the country, drivers reported multiple crashes on snow-covered and icy roads, while fierce winds toppled trees and blocked key routes.
The storm delivered what forecasters described as the worst snowfall in a decade in some central areas.
Travel Grinds to a Halt Nationwide
Severe weather conditions brought widespread travel chaos.
Flights were grounded, roads became impassable, and major sections of the rail network were shut down.
Heathrow Airport alone saw at least 69 flights cancelled, disrupting travel plans for more than 9,000 passengers — most of them on short-haul British Airways routes.
Airports Struggle to Recover From Heavy Snow
East Midlands Airport confirmed its runway reopened early in the morning after an overnight closure due to heavy snowfall, though passengers were warned delays could persist throughout the day.
Birmingham Airport also resumed operations on a limited basis, with teams working to move stranded passengers as safely and efficiently as possible.
Rail Disruption Spreads Across the UK
National Rail warned that services across England, Wales, and Scotland could remain affected until the end of the day.
Snow, ice, and fallen trees made many routes unsafe, forcing cancellations and delays that left commuters and travellers scrambling for alternatives.
Extreme Weather Conditions Break Records
Storm Goretti, described by the Met Office as a “multi-hazard event,” brought extreme conditions.
The coldest temperature overnight plunged to minus 13.3°C in Braemar, Aberdeenshire, while wind gusts reached a staggering 99mph on the Isles of Scilly — the strongest recorded there since 1991.
Weather Warnings Extended Into the Weekend
Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice were extended into Saturday across large areas of Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland.
Forecasters warned that refreezing snow, freezing fog, and wintry showers could continue to cause disruption, especially as partially melted snow turns back into ice overnight.
Schools Shut as Conditions Worsen
Dozens of schools across the Midlands and Wales closed their doors, while more than 250 schools were expected to remain shut in Scotland.
Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, Aberdeen, and Moray were among the worst affected areas, with safety concerns forcing widespread closures.
Pink Skies Leave West Midlands Residents Stunned
Amid the chaos, an unusual sight caught attention in the West Midlands as the evening sky turned pink.
Meteorologists explained that snow and water droplets scatter blue light, allowing red and orange tones to dominate.
Stadium lighting is believed to have intensified the striking effect.
Containers Lost at Sea During the Storm
The storm’s reach extended offshore, where several shipping containers fell into the sea near the Isle of Wight.
According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, refrigerated containers and empty units were lost from two vessels late Thursday night, prompting safety warnings for nearby waters.
Health Alerts Issued as Cold Tightens Its Grip
The UK Health Security Agency extended amber cold weather health alerts across England until Monday, warning of an increased risk of deaths due to the prolonged freeze.
Vulnerable groups were urged to take extra precautions as temperatures remained dangerously low.
Why Storm Goretti Has a French Name
Storm Goretti was named by French forecaster Météo-France because the strongest winds were expected over northern France.
To avoid confusion across borders, UK forecasters adopted the same name — part of a coordinated European system designed to improve public awareness and safety.
How Storm Naming Works Across Europe
Storms are named when they’re severe enough to trigger amber or red warnings.
Names are selected in advance by meteorological agencies across Europe, avoiding difficult pronunciations or names linked to tragic past events.
The alphabetical list alternates between male and female names each season.
Power Cuts Leave Thousands in the Dark
National Grid reported tens of thousands of properties without electricity, particularly in the South West and West Midlands.
Engineers worked around the clock, restoring power to more than 150,000 customers, while Downing Street confirmed support was being offered to affected households.
Cornwall Told to Stay Home as Roads Close
Cornwall faced some of the worst conditions, with councils urging residents to work from home and avoid travel altogether.
Fallen trees, snow, and ice forced the closure of many roads, while all train services in the region were suspended.
What the Weather Looks Like Next
Forecasters say the worst of Storm Goretti is slowly easing as it moves towards mainland Europe.
Saturday may bring a brief break with some sunshine for many areas, but more snow is expected in northern regions.
Another weather front arriving on Sunday could bring fresh snowfall, especially across Scotland and northern England.
Another Disruptive Week Could Be Ahead
While temperatures are expected to edge closer to seasonal averages next week, unsettled conditions may continue.
Meteorologists warn that areas already hit hard by snow could see further disruption if additional accumulation occurs, keeping winter firmly in control for now.
Calls Grow for Emergency Government Action
As communities continue to recover, political pressure is mounting for a coordinated national response.
Calls have been made for the Government’s emergency Cobra committee to meet, with MPs warning that vulnerable regions must not be overlooked as the clean-up from Storm Goretti continues.
What’s Next for the UK?
With another round of snow possible and flood risks rising from melting ice and rain, forecasters urge people to stay alert.
For many, the coming days will be about staying safe, checking travel updates, and bracing for whatever the winter weather delivers next.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn