Britain has been hit by what forecasters say is the “worst snowfall” in a decade after Storm Goretti swept across the country, triggering widespread disruption to travel, power supplies and daily life.
Air travel was among the hardest hit, with snow and ice forcing major airports to suspend or cut operations. Birmingham Airport said it halted use of its runway late on Thursday because “heavy snow” made conditions unsafe, while dozens of flights were cancelled at Heathrow due to the severe weather.
Passengers were urged to contact airlines for updates as images circulated of aircraft coated in snow and ice.
The Met Office issued its highest-level red warning for parts of Cornwall until 11pm on Thursday, urging residents to stay indoors as powerful winds battered the region. Gusts of up to 99mph were recorded on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly.
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“This is a high-impact event, with dangerous conditions expected,” the Met Office said, warning of damage to buildings, flying debris and major disruption to transport networks.
Power outages were also reported across several regions. The National Grid said more than 65,000 properties lost electricity on Thursday evening, most of them in southwest England, with further outages in the West Midlands and parts of Wales.
Across the rest of the country, amber and yellow warnings for snow and ice remained in place, covering areas of Wales, the Midlands, Yorkshire and much of Scotland. Forecasters said snowfall of 10 to 15 centimetres was likely in many areas, with up to 30 centimetres possible on higher ground in Wales and the Peak District.
Footage shared online showed motorists struggling through flooded and snow-covered roads, reporters battling strong winds, and residents helping to push stranded vehicles free from deep snow.
With conditions expected to remain hazardous into Friday, transport operators warned of continued delays, while dozens of schools across affected regions announced closures.
Storm Goretti comes after several days of intense cold, ice and snowfall, compounding disruption that has already affected travel and education, particularly in northern parts of the UK.