Storm Goretti wreaks havoc causing mass power cuts and travel chaos
Storm Goretti has caused widespread disruption across the UK, bringing record-breaking 99mph winds, heavy snowfall, and temperatures plunging to -13.3C.
Storm Goretti brought severe weather across the UK, causing widespread disruption to travel, electricity networks, and schools. For ongoing updates, check our Weather coverage.
The winter severe weather followed the coldest night of the winter so far, during which a low of -12.5C was recorded in Marham, Norfolk, according to the BBC. The wintry blast was driven by Storm Goretti, named by French forecasters.
Media additions
As the multi-hazard weather system swept across the country, it triggered a series of Met Office warnings. The London Evening Standard reported that St Mary's Airport on the Isles of Scilly recorded winds of 99mph on Thursday, marking a new record for the site. The Met Office had issued a rare red warning for dangerous, stormy winds in the South West, while amber cold health alerts were put in place by the UK Health Security Agency to run until Sunday.
The storm brought significant snowfall and ice to multiple regions. Snow accumulations included 27cm at Altnaharra in Sutherland, 26cm at Loch Glascarnoch, and 22cm at Durris in Kincardineshire, alongside 15cm at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, 7cm at Preston Montford in Shropshire, and 7cm in Nottingham. Meanwhile, the lowest temperature recorded overnight plunged to -13.3C at Braemar in Aberdeenshire.
Power infrastructure suffered heavily from the gale-force winds and snow. The National Grid reported that tens of thousands of homes were left without electricity. Power outage figures varied across regions as restoration efforts continued:
| Region | Properties Without Power | Properties Restored |
|---|---|---|
| South West | 44,000+ (as of Friday 11am) | 147,983 (total restored across regions as of 8am) |
| West Midlands | 14,000 | Included in regional restoration total |
| Wales | 500+ | Included in regional restoration total |
Travel infrastructure faced severe paralysis. In the South West, all trains in Cornwall were suspended from 6pm on Thursday, and Cornwall Council advised residents to avoid public transport and roads. A section of the M1 was closed between junction 28 Mansfield and junction 29 Chesterfield following a lorry crash, while a small lorry overturned on the A30 near Blackwater, Cornwall. In Scotland, National Rail reported that train services in northern areas faced cancellations, alterations, and heavy delays. London North Eastern Railway advised passengers not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, and Eurostar warned of severe delays and last-minute cancellations, particularly affecting journeys to Amsterdam. Airports also experienced major bottlenecks; more than 70 flights at Heathrow Airport were cancelled by Friday morning, affecting more than 9,000 passengers, with British Airways short-haul services bearing the brunt. East Midlands Airport and Birmingham Airport both reported runway closures and temporary suspensions due to heavy snow.
School closures were widespread as local authorities responded to the hazardous conditions. Hundreds of educational facilities were shut down, with totals spanning across the nations:
- Wales: At least 380 schools closed
- Scotland: At least 300 schools closed
- Northern Ireland: 203 schools closed
- England: More than 230 schools closed
Government response mechanisms were activated in response to the freezing temperatures. The government's cold weather payments scheme was triggered across 451 postcodes in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, providing automatic £25 payments to households on qualifying benefits where local temperatures were recorded or forecast at 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
Adding to the complex meteorological conditions, separate yellow warnings for fog were issued for parts of Yorkshire and neighbouring regions, such as those detailed by The Traveler, affecting routes like the M1, A1(M), and M62 with visibility dropping below 50 metres in dense patches. International aviation was similarly impacted by low visibility; Financialexpress reported that dense fog at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport led to the cancellation of 128 flights and the diversion of eight others, with IndiGo alone cancelling 84 flights and issuing fresh passenger advisories.
Looking ahead, weather warnings for snow and ice remain in effect across large parts of Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland, with further yellow alerts extending into the weekend as partially thawed snow refreezes. Travellers and residents are advised to monitor official forecasts and check local operator status before attempting journeys.
