Britain is bracing for another round of severe winter weather as Storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year, sweeps in with the promise of heavy snow, ice, and biting winds. The Met Office has issued a series of urgent weather warnings covering much of the United Kingdom, with the most severe impacts expected in Scotland, Wales, and parts of England. The warnings come on the heels of the UK’s coldest night of the winter so far, and as hundreds of schools, transport links, and rural communities struggle with the ongoing consequences of the extreme cold.
On January 6, 2026, the Met Office issued a yellow ice warning for almost the entire UK for Wednesday, January 7, and snow warnings for large swathes of England and Wales for Thursday and Friday. The wintry blast, driven by Storm Goretti—named by French meteorological service Meteo-France—is expected to bring up to 20 centimeters of snow in some areas, especially over higher ground, and gusts of wind reaching up to 70 mph along coastal regions.
The situation is particularly dire in northern and eastern Scotland, where communities have found themselves cut off by relentless snowfall and plunging temperatures. According to BBC News, Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie has called for the military to be mobilised to help clear snow and deliver essentials to isolated households. In a letter addressed to First Minister John Swinney and the UK government, Bowie warned, "The situation has now become critical. Many people are increasingly cut off, with access to essential food supplies and medical provisions becoming extremely difficult and, in some instances, impossible."
Bowie’s plea highlighted the growing risk that individuals could be left without basic necessities unless urgent action is taken. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of emergency services, gritters, farmers, and volunteer groups but noted that "in many cases they are quite simply overwhelmed by the scale and persistence of the conditions." Bowie urged the Scottish government to consider mobilising all available resources, including the armed forces, to assist with snow clearance, delivery of essential supplies, access to remote communities, and transportation to hospitals. He also called for clearer public guidance on safety and emergency support.
The impact of the cold snap has been felt nationwide. On Tuesday, January 6, hundreds of schools closed their doors: 384 in Wales, at least 320 in Scotland, 186 in Northern Ireland, and over 100 in England, according to The Independent. The coldest night of the season so far was recorded in Marham, Norfolk, where temperatures plummeted to -12.5°C (9.5°F). Snow fell as far south as central London by Tuesday afternoon, blanketing streets and rooftops and causing further disruption.
Transport networks have not been spared. London North Eastern Railway (LNER) advised people not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, citing "major disruption" across its network. National Rail reported that train services in northern Scotland would be subject to delays, cancellations, and overcrowding until the end of the day. Eurostar listed delays and cancellations on some of its Amsterdam services, as the Dutch capital also grappled with widespread rail and flight disruption due to heavy snow. CalMac Ferries warned that services on Scotland’s west coast would be disrupted throughout the day. Even the Glasgow subway network was suspended after ice on the third rail caused a power failure.
Amber snow warnings remained in place in northern Scotland until 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, with 5 to 10 centimeters of snow forecast widely and up to 15 centimeters over higher ground. The Met Office’s amber warning signaled a higher risk of travel disruption, power cuts, and the potential for risk to life and property. People were advised to take precautions, only making essential journeys and ensuring their vehicles were winter-ready. Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop thanked "all the frontline staff such as gritter drivers, chainsaw gangs, police officers and many others who have been out working in dreadful conditions these past few days and over the next 48 hours."
Looking ahead, the Met Office has warned that the cold blast is far from over. A yellow wind warning was issued for southwest England on Thursday, January 8, between 15:00 and midnight, with gusts of 50-60 mph and up to 70 mph on the coast. As Storm Goretti passes along the English Channel, heavy rain is expected to turn to snow as it meets colder air, with up to 20 centimeters forecast to fall in parts of England and Wales on Thursday night and Friday. The yellow snow warning will run from 18:00 on Thursday until midday on Friday, covering central and southern England and Wales.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has responded by issuing amber cold health alerts for all of England, running until Friday, January 9. Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, emphasized the seriousness of the situation: "As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable. The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions."
The cold weather has also triggered the government’s cold weather payments across 451 postcodes in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Under this scheme, households on certain benefits receive £25 automatically if the temperature in their local area is recorded or forecast as 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.
Adam Stachura, policy director at Age Scotland, urged people to stay at home where possible. Speaking to The Telegraph, he advised, "With such cold temperatures and icy conditions ahead, try and make sure you have enough food and any important medications at home to reduce the need for unnecessary and potentially risky trips." The Met Office echoed this sentiment, warning that roads and railways would likely be affected by longer journey times and that icy patches on untreated surfaces could lead to injuries from slips and falls.
As the nation faces the first full working week of the year, many are returning to work or school under the shadow of severe winter hazards. Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, summed up the situation: "As we begin the first full working week of the year, we face a range of winter weather hazards with snow showers and ice."
The coming days will test the resilience of communities, emergency services, and infrastructure across the UK. With more snow, ice, and wind on the way, authorities are urging everyone to remain vigilant, follow official advice, and look out for those most at risk. The scale and persistence of this winter’s weather are proving to be a formidable challenge—one that will require both patience and preparedness from Britons everywhere.
