'Violent' winds are expected and people are warned of a danger to life
Molly Seaman
16:58, 08 Jan 2026
A number of places across Cornwall have been braced for "violent" winds as Storm Goretti moves across the country, prompting a rare red weather warning.
Forecasters have said "exceptionally strong" winds will batter west Cornwall this afternoon and evening (Thursday, January 8) and may exceed 100mph.
The Met Office had issued the weather warning for the Isles of Scilly up to Bude, covering a large part of Cornwall from 4pm to 11pm where "violent" gusts are expected.
While the South West is covered by a yellow weather warning, a large area of Cornwall has been hit with a red warning.
The Met Office has said there may be damage caused to homes as roofs are blown off and power lines are brought down, with flying debris posing a risk to life.
Roads, bridges, railway lines and ferry crossings may be closed and cancelled, and power cuts are also expected as well as mobile phone coverage cut off.
Along the coast, very large waves and beach material may be thrown into coastal roads, sea fronts, and properties.
A list of the Cornwall locations under the rare red weather warning:
- Isles of Scilly
- Penzance
- Helston
- Hayle
- Camborne
- Falmouth
- Truro
- St Austell
- Newquay
- Fowey
- Lostwithiel
- Bodmin
- Wadebridge
- Camelford
- Bude
The Met Office has since escalated the amber warning to red, with a high likelihood and high impact, warning of a 'danger to life' due to flying debris.
The forecaster said: "Storm Goretti will bring a period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall on Thursday evening, with peak gusts of 80-100 mph or more in exposed areas.
"Winds are expected to increase rapidly from 30-40 mph with violent gusts that may persist for 2-3 hours before easing. Winds will remain strong with the broader yellow warning in force until Friday morning.
"In addition, very large waves will bring dangerous conditions to some coastal areas."
CornwallLive has also reported that some schools have been advised to close by Cornwall Council ahead of the weather warning.
Waves of five metres have also been forecast across a number of beaches during the warning.
Great Western Railway has also said all train services are suspended across Cornwall from 6pm and people have been advised not to travel during the weather warning.