The UK is bracing for Storm Goretti, the first named storm of the year, which is expected to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and rain. Forecasters predict 5 to 10 cm of snow in some areas, with up to 20 cm possible on higher ground. The storm will move across the south of the UK on Thursday and into Friday, causing wintry conditions and potential travel disruptions. ITV News reports that heavy snow is likely over higher ground in south Wales on Thursday, followed by rain turning to snow across parts of England and Wales overnight.
The Met Office has issued an amber snow warning for large parts of north-east and northern Scotland, with 5 to 10 cm of snow expected widely and up to 15 cm in some areas. A yellow warning for snow and ice is in effect as far south as Perth until midnight on Tuesday. Forecasters also anticipate snow on higher ground in southern England on Thursday and Friday, while northern and central England face further snowfall, rain, and strong winds as an Atlantic low-pressure system approaches.
As the cold snap continues, hundreds of schools in Scotland will remain closed for a second day. Schools in Shetland, Orkney, and Aberdeenshire were shut on Tuesday after pupils were given an extra day off on Monday due to the weather. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for England, warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and well-being. Overnight temperatures dipped below freezing for much of the country, with the lowest temperatures reaching minus 12C.
The UK Government is providing financial support, offering £25 cold weather payments to hundreds of thousands of households to help with heating costs. These payments are designed to assist vulnerable people, including pensioners, during periods of freezing temperatures. Cold weather payments have been triggered on four separate days, covering 451 postcode areas in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
