The Met Office has blasted out a deadly 17-hour yellow wind warning for parts of Kent as Storm Goretti gears up to slam the South East with fierce gusts and heavy rain. The warning hits coastal hotspots including Dover, Folkestone, and Romney Marsh from 3pm today (January 8) until 8am Friday.
Storm Goretti Poised to Wreck Havoc in Southern England
After freezing snaps and sharp frosts, Storm Goretti is set to unleash a cocktail of chaos across the South. While the South West faces an amber warning with the fiercest gales, Kent will battle blustery winds threatening serious disruption.
- Gusts could roar up to 70mph along exposed coasts
- Flying debris risks serious injury and danger to life
- Roof tiles and buildings could suffer damage as winds tear through
Brace for Travel Chaos and Power Outages
The Met Office warns of road closures, bridge shutdowns, and public transport delays. Expect flight, ferry, rail, and bus cancellations or longer journeys. Power cuts and patchy phone signals could hit coastal communities as waves and winds batter infrastructure.
“Injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties,” the Met Office stresses.
Driving in the Fury: RAC’s Storm Survival Tips
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson urges drivers to think twice before hitting the road. She says: “Drivers in the worst-hit areas need to consider if it’s safe to drive. Cold weather punishes older batteries leading to breakdowns. Always give yourself extra time, clear snow and ice properly, and never use hot water on frozen windscreens — it causes cracks.”
She advises having a proper scraper and de-icer handy and sticking to main roads likely to be gritted. Use screenwash that works down to -10C to keep visibility sharp on grimy salted roads.
Stormy Weekend Ahead: What’s Next?
Tonight, heavy rain will drench Kent, turning to sleet and snow on higher ground before midnight. Tomorrow stays chilly with highs around 5C plus more wintry showers. The weekend will see bright spells mixed with frosty nights and icy patches by Sunday morning.
Looking into next week, the Met Office says things are up in the air but hints a warmer front may arrive Monday, possibly bringing snow in the North and rain further south, before the cold snaps return.
