Storm Goretti Wreaks Havoc with 99mph Winds and Heavy Snow
Storm Goretti pummeled the UK with savage 99mph gusts – the strongest since 1991 – and dumped thick snow across large swathes of the country. The Isles of Scilly’s St Marys recorded the terrifying top wind speed, while snow blanketed regions from Wales to Scotland.
In Powys, Lake Vyrnwy was covered with 15cm of snow. Shropshire and Nottingham weren’t spared either, receiving 7cm each.
Scotland took the worst of it. Altnaharra copped a massive 27cm, Loch Glascarnoch 26cm, and Durris 22cm. Bitter Arctic air plunged temperatures to an icy -13.3°C overnight in Braemar, Aberdeenshire.
Storm Goretti is easing on Friday but continues to drag rain across eastern England as it pushes towards Europe.
Snow and Ice Set to Bite Again This Weekend
Don’t ditch your hats and scarves just yet. Saturday offers a brief sunny break for many, but northern England, Scotland, and Wales will still battle icy roads and wintry showers—especially across higher ground.
The Met Office has slapped down fresh ice and snow warnings, keeping the pressure on.
Sunday’s forecast looks grim. A cold front sweeps in from the west, dumping 2-5cm of snow at low levels and up to 20cm on high ground, mostly in areas still buried under weeks of earlier falls. Meanwhile, southern England and Wales will face relentless rain, making for a miserable Sunday.
“Following a dry Saturday for much of the country, Sunday will bring snow to parts of Scotland and northern England. Temperatures will stay low, keeping ice risks high. Ongoing disruption is likely,” warned Met Office Chief Forecaster Steve Willington.
Stay tuned for updates—more warnings are expected. The UK Health Security Agency has issued Amber cold weather alerts across England until 12 January.
Flood Fears as Snow Melts and Rain Pours
Melting snow combined with heavy rain raises serious flood alarms. David Morgan from SEPA warns: “Rising temperatures after the cold snap mean thawing snow from Sunday will increase flood risk. Expect flooding of low-lying land, roads, and possibly homes.”
Stay safe and sign up for free flood alerts via the Floodline service. Check the Scottish Flood Forecast for the latest updates.
Brace Yourself for Power Cuts and Severe Weather
The Met Office’s WeatherReady campaign urges Brits to prepare for power outages and worsening conditions.
Make sure you’ve stocked up on essentials:
- Candles and matches or lighters
- Torches with spare batteries
- Mobile phone power banks
Keep an eye on your flood risk via SEPA, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, or NI Direct websites.
Next Week: Milder but Moody Weather to Continue
Temperatures will edge back to normal next week, but don’t expect clear skies. Unsettled, wet, and windy spells from south-westerly systems will keep the UK under grey skies with occasional storms.
Best keep your brollies handy – the weather’s staying moody.
