The Met Office has issued fresh snow, ice, and wind warnings across large parts of the UK as severe winter weather continues and Storm Goretti approaches later this week. The warnings come after hundreds of schools were forced to close and travel disruption spread nationwide.
A yellow ice warning is in place for most of the UK on Wednesday, while snow warnings have been issued for parts of England and Wales on Thursday and Friday. Forecasters say conditions could worsen as colder air clashes with heavy rain brought by the storm.
Coldest Night of the Winter Forces School Closures
The UK recorded its coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures dropping to -12.5°C in Marham, Norfolk. As a result, widespread snowfall led to school closures across the country.
According to local authorities:
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Wales: 384 schools closed
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Scotland: At least 320 schools closed
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Northern Ireland: 186 schools closed
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England: More than 100 schools affected
Many closures are expected to continue as icy conditions make travel unsafe.
Major Travel Disruption on Rail, Roads, and Ferries
Severe weather has caused ongoing disruption across the transport network.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has advised passengers not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, citing major disruption. National Rail warned of short-notice delays, cancellations, and overcrowding, particularly in northern Scotland.
International travel has also been affected. Eurostar reported delays and cancellations on some services to and from Amsterdam, where heavy snow has disrupted both rail and air travel.
In Scotland, CalMac Ferries confirmed that services on the west coast would face disruption throughout the day, while several main roads in Wales were blocked due to snow and ice.
Amber Snow Warnings Remain in Northern Scotland
Parts of northern Scotland remain under an amber snow warning until Tuesday evening. Forecasts suggest 5cm to 10cm of snow, with higher amounts in elevated areas.
The Met Office warns that amber conditions carry a higher risk of travel delays, power cuts, and danger to life, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for possible outages.
Although earlier yellow warnings expired, forecasters say further disruptive weather is expected, with snow even reaching central London on Tuesday afternoon.
Storm Goretti to Bring Strong Winds and Heavy Snow
As Storm Goretti moves through the English Channel later this week, the Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for south-west England on Thursday afternoon and evening. Coastal areas could see gusts of up to 70mph, increasing the risk of fallen trees and power disruption.
By Thursday night, heavy rain from the south is expected to turn into snow as it meets freezing air. Forecasters say up to 20cm of snow could fall in parts of central and southern England and Wales overnight into Friday.
The snow warning will be in effect from Thursday evening through Friday lunchtime, with travel conditions expected to be hazardous.
Public Advised to Stay Updated
The Met Office is urging the public to check weather forecasts regularly, allow extra travel time, and take precautions to stay safe during the cold spell. Vulnerable people are advised to stay indoors where possible, and drivers should carry essential supplies.
With winter conditions set to continue, authorities warn that further disruption is likely in the days ahead.
