Key Takeaways
- Storm Goretti is expected to bring heavy snow to the UK later in the week, causing difficult travel conditions and disruptions.
- The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for ice and snow across the UK, with some areas potentially seeing up to 20cm of snow.
- The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold health alerts for all of England, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services.
- Travel disruptions are expected, with hundreds of schools closed and transport services affected by the weather.
- The Met Office and other authorities are urging people to stay at home where possible and to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors.
Introduction to the Story
The Independent is committed to providing quality journalism to the public, and with the support of readers, they are able to continue reporting on critical stories, including the current weather situation in the UK. The Met Office has issued fresh weather warnings as Storm Goretti is set to bring heavy snow to the UK later in the week, causing difficult travel conditions and disruptions. The storm, named by French meteorological service Meteo-France, is the first storm of the year and is likely to have a significant impact on the country.
Weather Warnings and Alerts
The Met Office has issued yellow ice warnings for most of the UK, including Northern Ireland, for Wednesday morning, as an Arctic air mass has brought wintry showers across the country. The UK’s forecaster has also issued a new yellow weather warning for snow across Wales, the southeast and west of England, and the Midlands on Thursday from 6pm until midday on Friday. Additionally, a yellow wind warning is in place across the south west of England, as a deep area of low pressure will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday, bringing a mixture of rain, snow, and strong winds.
Travel Disruptions and School Closures
The weather has already caused significant disruptions to travel, with hundreds of flights cancelled and roads and railways affected by longer journey times. Dozens of flights between the Dutch hub and UK airports on KLM were cancelled on Tuesday, including services to and from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Heathrow, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, and Teesside. Aberdeenshire council has declared a "major incident" as ongoing snow continues to cause travel disruptions and school closures. Schools in the Highlands are due to reopen on Wednesday, though more snow is expected in the afternoon.
Health Alerts and Warnings
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold health alerts for all of England, warning of significant impacts on health and social care services. The agency is warning that 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. Dr. Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, is urging people to check in on friends, family, and neighbors who are most vulnerable.
Response and Preparations
The Met Office and other authorities are urging people to stay at home where possible and to check in on vulnerable friends, family, and neighbors. Adam Stachura, the policy director at Age Scotland, is advising people to make sure they have enough food and any important medications at home to reduce the need for unnecessary and potentially risky trips. Scottish transport secretary Fiona Hyslop is also urging people to ensure their vehicle is winter-ready and to have a winter kit in their car, and to follow Police Scotland travel advice.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the UK prepares for the impact of Storm Goretti, it is essential for people to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe. The Met Office and other authorities will continue to provide updates and warnings, and it is crucial for people to follow their advice and take necessary actions to protect themselves and their loved ones. With the support of readers, The Independent will continue to provide quality journalism and updates on the weather situation, as well as other critical stories.