Key Takeaways:
- Storm Goretti is expected to bring a wintry blast to the United Kingdom on Friday, with up to 30 centimeters of snow and winds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
- A rare red warning has been issued for Cornwall in southwest England, with "violent gusts" expected to lash the city and the Isles of Scilly.
- The storm has already caused disruption in France and the Netherlands, with snow blanketing the countries and causing travel chaos.
- The UK’s Met Office has warned of a "multi-hazard event" with significant impacts from snow, strong winds, and heavy rain.
- Storm Goretti has been described as a "weather bomb" due to its rapid development and plunging air pressure.
Introduction to Storm Goretti
Storm Goretti is expected to bring a wintry blast to the United Kingdom on Friday, according to British weather authorities. The UK’s nationwide meteorological service, the Met Office, has warned of significant snowfall and strong winds, with parts of the country expected to see as much as 30 centimeters (almost 12 inches) of snow. Winds of up to 160 kilometers (99 miles) per hour are also forecast, making for a potentially hazardous weekend. The Met Office has warned of a "multi-hazard event" with significant impacts from snow, strong winds, and heavy rain, and has issued a rare red warning for southwest England.
Weather Warnings and Alerts
The rare red warning for Cornwall in England’s southwest signifies that dangerous conditions are expected, and people in the affected area should take immediate action for their safety. The Met Office Chief Forecaster, Neil Armstrong, has stated that "Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far South West, though heavy rain in some parts of Wales and East Anglia also has the potential to bring disruption to many." The BBC has described the Storm Goretti system as a "weather bomb" due to its rapid development and plunging air pressure, making it a potentially powerful and disruptive storm.
Impact on Europe
The system has already caused disruption in France and the Netherlands, with snow blanketing the countries and causing travel chaos. One hundred flights were canceled at France’s major Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday, with Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport also annulling thousands of routes in recent days. Public buses had been suspended in Paris on Wednesday, with vehicles such as trucks banned from the roads of northern and western France due to snow and ice in the forecast. The A1 highway near Izel-les-Equerchin in northern France experienced a traffic jam on Wednesday as Goretti took its toll. The storm was given its name by French weather forecaster Meteo France, and its impact is being felt across Europe.
Separate Weather System in Germany
Meanwhile, in northern Germany, a separate weather system known as Storm Elli is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the major city of Hamburg and the surrounding region. Snow has shut down the major Köhlbrand bridge in Hamburg, and public schools are closed in the city. This separate system is causing additional disruption in Europe, with Germany’s major metropolis of Hamburg dealing with the impact of the storm. The combination of Storm Goretti and Storm Elli is making for a potentially hazardous and disruptive weekend across Europe, with multiple countries affected by the severe weather.
Preparations and Warnings
The Met Office has warned people in the affected areas to take necessary precautions and to stay informed about the latest weather updates. With the storm expected to bring significant snowfall and strong winds, there is a risk of disruption to travel and daily life. The public is advised to check the latest weather forecasts and warnings before traveling, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe. The rare red warning for Cornwall is a sign of the potential severity of the storm, and people in the affected area should take immediate action to protect themselves and their property. With Storm Goretti expected to bring a wintry blast to the UK on Friday, it is essential for people to be prepared and to stay informed about the latest developments.