Storm Goretti, a fierce winter system named by Météo France on January 6, 2026, has swept across the United Kingdom this week, leaving a trail of snow, ice, and disruption in its wake. Meteorologists say the storm underwent explosive cyclogenesis—a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure—making it one of the most powerful snowstorms to hit the UK in two decades. With its central pressure plunging to around 970 hPa and more than 24 hPa lost within 24 hours, this storm packed a punch that few in the region will soon forget.
According to The Watchers, Storm Goretti originated over the North Atlantic before barreling into the British Isles, bringing widespread snowfall to Scotland, northern England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Snow depths reached between 10 and 20 centimeters (4–8 inches) in upland areas, with the Scottish Highlands seeing localized accumulations of over 30 centimeters (12 inches). The Met Office recorded the heaviest snow at Tomintoul in Banffshire, Scotland, with an impressive 52 centimeters (1 foot 8 inches) on the ground.
But it wasn’t just the snow that caused chaos. Sleet and freezing rain led to hazardous ice formation on untreated surfaces, while wind gusts whipped up to 115 km/h (70 mph) along western coasts and 70–90 km/h (45–55 mph) inland. The Met Office issued a slew of yellow and amber warnings for snow, ice, and wind, warning residents to brace for hazardous travel, power outages, and even a “danger to life” from large waves and flying debris in coastal areas. An amber severe wind warning was in effect for southwest England on January 7, with officials cautioning, “There is a danger to life from large waves and debris being thrown onto beachfront roads and properties in areas where the amber warning is in place.”
Travelers across the UK faced a tough week. Major transport corridors such as the M62, A9, and A55 were hit hard by drifting snow and ice, causing severe delays and closures. Airports in Manchester, Glasgow, and Belfast reported flight delays and cancellations as visibility dropped below operational thresholds, according to the BBC. Train services were heavily disrupted, especially between Edinburgh and Aberdeen and in northern Scotland, with London North Eastern Railway (LNER) advising passengers not to travel due to “major disruption” following heavy snowfall. National Rail reported that cancellations, alterations, and heavy delays would last through January 8, with snowplows working overtime between Aberdeen and Inverness to clear drifts.
Schools were not spared, either. Over 1,000 schools across the UK closed on Tuesday, January 6, as snow blanketed the nation—including flurries in central London. The closures included about 380 in Wales, at least 300 in Scotland, 203 in Northern Ireland, and more than 230 in England. Aberdeenshire Council declared a major incident after days of relentless snowfall, warning of a “prolonged period of significant impacts” and announcing all schools in the county would be shut on Wednesday. The council also cautioned that some communities could become completely cut off due to the severity of the snow.
The storm’s impact wasn’t limited to inconvenience—there were real dangers on the roads and rails. A double-decker bus crashed on an icy surface in Liverpool on January 6, and in parts of Wales, drivers and walkers became trapped in deep snow, requiring rescue by military vehicles. The Met Office’s forecaster Marco Petagna cautioned, “In the ice warnings, be careful of slippery surfaces and potential for injuries, so take care on footpaths. Icy patches could affect untreated roads, not all roads and pavements and cycle paths are treated so just be aware that away from major highways there could be icy and slippery conditions for a while tomorrow morning.”
As the week progressed, the Met Office forecasted that Storm Goretti would continue to bring heavy snow, rain, and severe gales to England and Wales through January 9. Up to eight inches (about 20 centimeters) of snow was expected to blanket the Home Counties on Thursday and Friday, with snow developing over higher ground in South Wales late on Thursday before spreading more widely overnight. A yellow warning for snow was issued from Thursday evening until noon on Friday, covering much of Wales and central England—including cities like Birmingham, Nottingham, Peterborough, Oxford, and Bath.
Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer explained, “A deepening area of low pressure—named Storm Goretti by Meteo France—will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday. It will clash with the very cold air here, meaning Thursday night could be what we call a ‘multi-hazard’ event, with snow on the northern flank of the low, wind and rain on the southern flank. We have therefore issued a yellow warning for snow for parts of England and Wales, where heavy snow could lead to disruption and difficult travelling conditions. Strong winds associated with Storm Goretti may also lead to some disruption, and so in addition a yellow wind warning has been issued for southwest England.”
Rural communities, particularly in Wales and Scotland, suffered power outages and road closures as temperatures dipped below −8°C (17°F). The government activated cold weather payments for hundreds of thousands of households in 451 postcode areas across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Eligible households automatically received £25 when temperatures were recorded or forecast to be zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days—a much-needed lifeline for the elderly and vulnerable. Some areas, such as parts of Cumbria and Northumberland, received the payment twice, totaling £50.
Storm Goretti’s arrival followed on the heels of another deadly winter storm that killed at least six people in France and Bosnia, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain, and temperatures below −10°C (14°F) to continental Europe. That earlier storm caused flight cancellations in Paris and Amsterdam, and widespread power and travel disruptions across the region, highlighting the broader reach and severity of this winter’s weather.
Back in the UK, the Met Office stressed the importance of staying up to date with the latest forecasts, as the exact track of Storm Goretti could still shift, potentially altering the areas of greatest risk. “The exact track of the low is still uncertain, and these warnings are likely to be amended—and potentially escalated—over the coming days. It is therefore vital people keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts,” Bulmer said.
Despite the travel chaos and school closures, some found moments of joy amid the wintry blast. In Merseyside, a five-month-old Amur tiger cub at Knowsley Safari Park enjoyed its first snow day, and visitors across the country ventured out to build snowmen and take in the transformed landscapes. But for most, the message was clear: heed the warnings, stay safe, and wait for the storm to pass.
As Storm Goretti’s winds begin to ease and the snow finally lets up, communities across the UK are left to dig out, repair, and reflect on a week when winter showed its true force.
