The United Kingdom is bracing for and experiencing the severe impacts of Storm Goretti, a multi-hazard weather event named by Météo France. The storm, which is undergoing 'explosive cyclogenesis' or a 'weather bomb' – a rapid drop of 36 millibars in central pressure over 24 hours – is bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and widespread disruption across the nation. Various amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office, with a rare red wind warning signifying a potential danger to life.

Forecasters anticipate significant snowfall, with amber warnings for heavy snow in place from Thursday evening into Friday morning, covering parts of Wales, the Midlands, and South Yorkshire. Within these areas, 5-10cm of snow is widely expected, with higher ground in the Peak District and some parts of Wales potentially seeing 15-25cm, and up to 30cm in isolated areas. The Home Counties, including Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Hertfordshire, could experience up to 20cm of snow. A broader yellow snow warning extends from Northumberland to Wiltshire and across much of Wales, effective from Thursday afternoon until Friday midday, with Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill noting that 20cm or more of snow is enough to cause severe disruption. In Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire, communities like Insch have already been cut off by 30-50cm snow drifts, with residents describing it as 'one of the worst winters in 25 years' and reporting food shortages.

The wind accompanying Storm Goretti is exceptionally powerful. A red wind warning, the first for the UK in nearly a year, has been issued for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, valid from 4pm to 11pm on Thursday. Gusts in these exposed coastal locations could reach 80-100mph, potentially surpassing the strength of recent storms like Ciaran (2023) and Eunice (2022). Further yellow wind warnings cover much of south-west England, extended along the south coast to Kent, with expected gusts of 50-70mph, particularly along exposed hills and coasts. Officials in Jersey have also advised residents to stay indoors from 8pm, anticipating gusts of up to 90mph.

The storm has led to extensive travel chaos. Numerous railway lines and services across Britain have been cancelled or suspended. The main railway line between Manchester and Sheffield, specifically the Hope Valley line, closed from Thursday evening until Saturday, with TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, and Northern services heavily impacted. Other Northern routes, including those between Guide Bridge and Glossop/Hadfield, Hazel Grove and Buxton, and New Mills Central and Sheffield, are also suspended without replacement bus services due to anticipated road conditions. Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry are running reduced services, and operators like Transport for Wales, ScotRail, South Western Railway, Eurostar, Chiltern Railways, and Great Western Railway have also announced widespread disruption and cancellations. National Highways and Derbyshire County Council have issued amber warnings for snow on roads, closing six major Peak District routes from Thursday evening, including the A628 Woodhead Pass and the A57 Snake Pass, due to particularly difficult driving conditions. Flights to and from Amsterdam and Paris, as well as those to and from the Channel Islands, have also faced significant disruption and cancellations. Transport for London (TfL) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have implemented measures like gritting and deploying ice-breaker trams, urging commuters to check before travelling and allow extra time.

Beyond travel, Storm Goretti poses significant risks to communities and health. The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold weather health alerts until Sunday, warning of severe impacts across health and social care services and an expected rise in deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations aged 65 and over. Coastal erosion has been dramatically accelerated in Hemsby, Norfolk, where over 30ft of coastline has been lost in a week, leading to the evacuation and scheduled demolition of 14 clifftop homes. Residents have described it as a disaster, and local pressure groups have criticised the council for a 'lack of leadership' in addressing the long-standing erosion problem. Mountain rescuers have also issued an avalanche warning for Snowdon, citing unstable snow and cornice formation, making good navigation skills vital for explorers. Additionally, a concert in Birmingham was cancelled due to safety concerns for children and families, and many schools across the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and Orkney have remained closed for multiple days.

The severity of Storm Goretti marks a stark contrast to the mild conditions experienced in much of December 2025, which contributed to 2025 being the UK's warmest year on record since 1884. While the Met Office acknowledges the influence of human-induced climate change on long-term warming trends, they also emphasize natural variability, indicating that cold snaps are still possible. The current cold spell is notable but not unprecedented for January. Looking ahead, the Met Office's early winter outlook suggests spells of windy weather, an increased likelihood of colder conditions in January, and a higher chance of wetter-than-average weather, with storms more likely later in the season. Cold weather payments have also been triggered for benefit recipients in hundreds of postcodes across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to support those affected by the freezing conditions. Public bodies, emergency services, and volunteers are actively working to coordinate responses, support affected communities, and ensure public safety, with Police Scotland and local resilience partnerships urging residents to follow travel advice and check on vulnerable neighbours.