Storm Goretti danger 'not over yet' with cars crushed as flood alerts issued

Temperatures will return closer to average for most areas of the country through next week, the Met Office has said, noting that some unsettled weather is likely.

Low pressure will be influencing the weather at the start of the week, with some wet and windy conditions likely for many parts of the UK, forecasters added.

As snow blanketed much of the West Midlands on Thursday evening, residents were left surprised to see a pink glow lighting up the sky.

Despite online speculation about what caused the phenomenon, the source of the display turned out to be LED lights being used on the pitch at Birmingham City's football ground.

Hednesford Town Football Club said the lights were "helping the grass grow and recover, keeping us ready to chase three points, not the aurora."

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge explained that the snow might have made the pink colour look even more intense.

He said: "The blue wavelengths of light are more easily scattered by snow or water droplets, allowing the longer wavelengths - such as red and orange - to get through.

"This can have the effect of turning colours more pink or orange."

The Met Office has issued its long-range weather forecast from Wednesday, January 14 to Friday, January 23.

It reads: "Changeable and occasionally unsettled conditions are expected across the UK during this period.

"Low pressure systems moving in from the Atlantic will tend to dominate, meaning showers or longer spells of rain for much of the UK.

"Some heavy rain or showers are likely at times, most often across high ground in the west where rainfall totals will probably be highest.

"Periods of strong wind or gales are possible, especially around coasts and if any deep areas of low pressure develop in the vicinity of the UK.

"Some short-lived spells of mainly dry weather are likely between weather systems. Temperatures are expected to be close to or slightly above average for the time of year overall."

Met Office chief forecaster Steve Willington said more snow is possible on Sunday, after a "largely dry" Saturday away from north-eastern parts of Scotland and England.

A yellow warning for snow and ice will be in force for much of Scotland from 2am until 3pm on Sunday.

Mr Willington said: "A further 2-5cm of snow is possible to accumulate at low levels within the warning area on Sunday, with 10-20cm possible over higher ground. With much of this falling in areas that have already seen severe snowfall, ongoing disruption is likely.

"Those in central and southern England and Wales will see this fall as rain, in what will be a wet Sunday for many."

A new warning for snow and ice has been issued across northern England and Scotland, from 2am until 3pm on Sunday.

Forecasters said a spell of snow will lead to some disruption, with possible travel delays on roads, stranding some vehicles and passengers.

The Met Office said passengers travelling by rail, air or buses could face delays or cancellations.

There is also a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces - and power cuts may also occur.

Sharing details of the new weather warning, the Met Office said: "A band of snow will move across the warning area through Sunday morning.

"Across northern England this will mostly be confined to ground above 200 metres elevation, but across Scotland this could fall to low levels during the morning, before becoming increasingly confined to higher ground through the afternoon.

"Whilst not all areas may see accumulating snow at low levels, 2 to 5cm is likely, perhaps locally 10 cm. Above 200 metres elevation 10 to 20 cm is possible, perhaps locally up to 30 cm on hills exposed to the strong southerly winds, and over the highest parts of Scotland. Strong winds will lead to some drifting of the snow, and widely icy conditions are likely."

More than 38,000 properties were without power in the South West at about 7pm on Friday, according to the National Grid's website, along with about 5,000 in the West Midlands, more than 1,000 in the East Midlands, and about 120 in Wales.

Residents on a tidal island near Cornwall woke to the devastation wreaked by Storm Goretti, which felled more than 80 trees.

The head gardener of St Michael's Mount, Darren Little, said he was heartbroken to see the island on Friday morning, and the damage was 10 times worse than that caused by any other storm in the decades he has lived there.

The island has a weather station which recorded winds of 111mph on Thursday evening, before a power cut which lasted until Friday morning, Mr Little, 51, said.

"At about 6pm it just got louder and louder and the waves were picking up, the spray was shooting up in the air," he explained.

"There was a loud crash, a loud bang and suddenly our power went."

Mr Little added: "We went out this morning and got our chainsaw equipment out and started to clear the castle path, we had to make sure it was easily accessible in case of emergencies. We started at 8.30am and finished around 4.30pm."

About 80 to 100 trees were brought down, most of the trees on the island, he said.

The Met Office has shared the latest forecast for this evening.

Further ran and snow is hitting some places, with icy stretches developing as temperatures fall.

Further rain, sleet and some snow in places this evening, but icy stretches also developing as temperatures fall ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/bJms2plo6y

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 9, 2026

A home in Truro, Cornwall, was damaged after two large trees fell on it.

Photos show the trees breaking through the roof of the property.

More than 30,000 properties were without power in the South West at about 5.30pm on Friday, according to the National Grid's website.

About 3,000 homes in the West Midlands, more than 900 in the East Midlands, and about 160 in Wales, also have no power.

The Met Office has updated one of its yellow weather warnings.

The warning for ice, in force until 12pm on Saturday, now includes areas of southern England.

The warning reads: "Partially thawed snow during Friday will likely freeze overnight as temperatures fall below freezing, leading to a widespread ice risk.

"In addition, wintry showers will continue to feed into parts of Wales and southwest England at times, perhaps also into the West Midlands.

"Whilst there is some uncertainty as to the extent of any precipitation, this falling onto frozen surfaces may also add to the risk of ice.

"Freezing fog patches are also likely in places, posing an additional ice hazard."

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington in Somerset, has said the South West needs urgent help.

He said: "The Government's Cobra committee must urgently be convened to ensure fast help is delivered across the region.

"The South West is routinely overlooked by the Government, but we cannot be ignored in this time of need."

The lowest temperature recorded overnight was minus 13.3C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire, while a peak gust of 99mph was reported at St Marys on the Isles of Scilly, the highest here since 1991, according to the Met Office.

Downing Street has said support was being offered to homes left without power - and 150,000 customers have had their power restored so far.

A No 10 spokesman said: "The latest data I have is that around 0.21% of British customers are without power.

"Engineers and staff are working to reconnect them as quickly as possible. The latest numbers I have is approximately 150,000 customers have had their power restored so far."

The Met Office has said the weather will be calm and cold on Saturday, but will turn wet and windy on Sunday.

You can see the latest forecast here:

Making plans for the weekend?

Calm and cold on Saturday with an icy start
Turning wet and windy on Sunday with a spell of snow across the north

Here are all the details pic.twitter.com/4CNGMXUAVH

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 9, 2026

A tree has crashed onto a property in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Many in the county remain without power and have been told electricty may not be restored until Sunday.

Heartbreaking images show a up against a home following 24 hours on fierce winds.

Huge waves batter buidings including a church as they crash on the shore after locals were told to stay away.

The clip, taken by Cornish photographer James Gitto, shows the Cornish coast in Porthleven come under attack from fierce waves.

Storm Goretti is certainly making her presence known here in Porthleven.
Stay safe everyone! #stormgoretti #redalert #porthleven #cornwall pic.twitter.com/CqDYo0t0jQ

— James Kitto Photography (@JamesKittoPhoto) January 8, 2026

People’s power might not be restored until Sunday, a local MP has warned.

Thousands of homes in Cornwall have been cut off, with National Grid confirming 41,000 premises currently have no power.

"It is expected that properties across Mid Cornwall will be facing electricity issues until Sunday," Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay, said on social media.

A number of shipping containers have fallen from vessels off the Isle of Wight.

According to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, refrigerated containers have gone overboard from two cargo vessels due to choppy waters.

An MCA spokesman said HM Coastguard is "monitoring the situation closely and has sent a fixed-wing aircraft".

Images show the extent of the fierce storm that has battered Britain over the past 24 hours.

Falmouth University student Anna Richmond's car was crushed outside her rented accommodation by fallen trees during Storm Goretti.

The worst of the strong winds came in the south west, with forecasters warning that danger is not yet over.

Trees have come down with roads blocked and tens of thousands of properties are without power across Cornwall in the wake of Storm Goretti.

Falmouth University student Anna Richmond's car which was crushed outside her rented accommodation by fallen trees during Storm Goretti.

It happened with a rare red weather warning in place by the Met Office for the south west of England with winds reaching 99mph.

Met Office says 27cm of snow has fallen in Scotland and the coldest temperature overnight was -13.3C.

The national weather agency also said that the peak gust from Storm Goretti was 99mph.

It stated: "Storm Goretti has been an impactful weather system, with significant disruption and impacts reported so far. A peak gust of 99mph was reported at St Marys on the Isles of Scilly, the highest here since 1991.

"Accumulations of snow have also been reported, 15cm has been recorded at Lake Vyrnwy in Powys, 7cm at Preston Montford in Shropshire and 7cm at Nottingham. Wider accumulations have been recorded, as well as some higher unofficial totals from non-Met Office observations.

"Notable snow accumulations continue in Scotland, with 27cm at Altnaharra in Sutherland, 26cm at Loch Glascarnoch and 22cm at Durris in Kincardineshire. The lowest temperature recorded overnight was -13.3°C at Braemar, Aberdeenshire."

Storm Goretti has now cleared to the east. The storm brought a gust of 99mph at St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, and 16cm of snow at Lake Vyrnwy in Wales pic.twitter.com/r83TfoeSEA

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 9, 2026

Birmingham has yellow warnings for snow and ice in place and is one of the areas worst affected by Storm Goretti today.

And latest closures announced due to snow in the region include: Birmingham Botanical Gardens, West Midlands Safari Park, Cadbury World, Legoland and Sea Life Centre.

Legoland posted: "Important Notice: Due to Storm Goretti and severe weather conditions, we are closed today for the safety of our guests and staff."

Here is the full list of venues closed in the region:

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
• Thinktank Science Museum in Birmingham city centre
• Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park at Cannon Hill Park in Edgbaston
• Lapworth Museum of Geology in Edgbaston
• Dudley Zoo in Dudley
• Wild Zoological Park at Halfpenny Green, near Wolverhampton
• Ash End Children's Farm in Tamworth (the big barn is still open)
• Shakespeare Birthplace Museums in Stratford-upon-Avon
• Young Voices at BP Pulse Live at the NEC
• Twycross Zoo in Atherstone
• Bodenham Arboretum, near Kidderminster
• Car parks at Sandwell Valley Country Park
• Hockerhill Play Barn in Brewood, Staffordshire
• Wightwick Manor and Gardens in Wolverhampton
• Kingstanding Wellbeing Centre swimming sessions cancelled and site closing at 6pm
• Warwick Castle (closed for essential maintenance until January 17)
• Clent Hills (Nimmings Wood car park closed)
• Dudmaston and Comer Woods
• Birmingham Back to Backs closed until Thursday, February 5
• Moseley Old Hall closed until Friday, February 13
• Packwood House in Solihull
• Baddelsey Clinton in Solihull
• Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd
• Attingham Park in Shrewsbury
• Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire
• Coventry Charterhouse

More than 44,000 properties are now without power in the South West, according to the National Grid’s website.

There are also about 14,000 that have no power in the West Midlands, more than 700 with no power in the East Midlands and more than 500 without power in Wales.

While as of 8am, 147,983 properties had been restored across the South West, Midlands and South Wales.

Storm Goretti will "continue to cause problems" today as it targets other parts of Europe, the Met Office said.

Meteorologist Alex Deakin said the storm will begin clear throughout the afternoon but many will face a "wet, cold, miserable day".

He said: "Storm Goretti continues to cause problems through Friday morning, particularly across parts of eastern England, where we are seeing a mixture of rain, sleet, and still some snow falling.

"The heavy snow over the West Midlands and Wales has now eased but of course, is still lying on the floor and still causing some disruption.

"Gradually, through the day, the storm will continue to clear away, but it's going to still be a wet, cold miserable day across much of eastern England, and still icy across parts of northern Britain as well."

Flood alerts have been issued for London and the south east.

Heavy rain brought by Storm Goretti means river levels remain high. The Environment Agency says further rainfall could lead to flooding of low-lying land, roads and footpaths in affected areas.

The flood alerts currently in place:

• Chertsey Bourne
• Lower River Medway
• River Bourne from Hadlow to East Peckham
• River Darent from Westerham to Dartford
• River Mole and its tributaries, from Kinnersley Manor to South Hersham
• Rivers Eden and Eden Brook
• The Rivers Wid and Can
• Upper River Colne and Radlett Brook

More flights in and out of Heathrow airport have been grounded.

At least 69 flights scheduled to operate to or from London on Friday are cancelled as Storm Goretti rages.

This is likely to have disrupted more than 9,000 passengers. The majority of the cancellations are short-haul flights by British Airways, which is the largest airline at Heathrow.

A resident left without power has shared their experience of being caught in the midst of the storm.

Perrin Hooper, 24, who has a following of 396,000 on social media, filmed themselves saying: "The storm last night was wild.

"I hope everyone's okay... any of my fellow Cornwall people."

Sharing the video at 7:50am on Friday, Perrin revealed: "I've got no power, we've got no power and there are trees down everywhere.

"There were 123mph winds somewhere near us, I believe. But I must say, they've done a very good job of getting the power back up pretty quickly for most areas. So well done."

Read the full story here.

@persworld I've never seen weather like that, hoping everyone is okay and make sure to check in on anyone you know in Cornwall who is vulnerable and you loved ones! #stormgoretti #cornwall #storm #uk #redweatherwarning original sound - Perrin Hooper

Millions woke up to snow this morning after overnight wintry showers.

Tens of thousands of homes are without power with fresh weather warnings issued this morning.

Some have been out enjoying the snow with hundreds of schools again closed.