Storm Goretti ‘snow bomb’ to hit Britain TODAY: Slew of climate warnings as as much as a foot of snow and 90mph winds to hit the UK – with trains already cancelled and faculties closed

Storm Goretti will strike Britain with up to a foot of snow and 90mph winds from this afternoon as the country braces for widespread travel chaos.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber warnings across the South West and North of England, the Midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Trains have been cancelled due to the expected conditions, rural communities could be cut off and forecasters expect power cuts or mobile phone signal disruption.

Goretti is now undergoing rapid cyclogenesis, also known as a ‘weather bomb’, when the central pressure of a low-pressure system falls 24 millibars in 24 hours.

The 21-hour storm is expected to hit from 3pm today until 12pm tomorrow – with the heaviest snow in the Midlands and Wales, where up to 30cm (1ft) could fall.

Gusts of up to 90mph could batter exposed areas from this evening, especially in South West England, as the weather brings a ‘danger to life’ in parts of the UK.

Today will see a cloudy and cold start to the day with wintry weather as Goretti comes in from the South West.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the storm will bring ‘wet, windy and wintry weather’ to parts of the UK.

He said Goretti, named by Meteo France, would bring ‘some strong winds and some significant snow to central and perhaps southern parts’.

The meteorologist added: ‘As that rain pushes its way and it hits against that cold air that we currently have across us… and so on the northern edge, we are likely to see some fairly significant snow as we go through later tomorrow and into Friday.’

Amber warnings have an ‘increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather’ compared to yellow warnings, meaning there is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and potential risk to life and property.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a ‘multi-hazard event’ with heavy rain, strong winds and snow.

He said 5cm (2in) to 10cm (4in) of snow is likely widely in Wales and the Midlands, with 15cm (6in) to 25cm (10in) and a potential for up to 30cm (1ft) in some areas.

Strong winds with gusts of 50 to 60mph will likely affect south-western areas this afternoon and evening, with gusts of 60 to 70mph along exposed hills and coasts, the Met Office said.

The forecaster has issued an amber warning for heavy snow from this evening into tomorrow, covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and South Yorkshire.

The warning stretches from Sheffield in the North, down to Leicester, across much of the West Midlands and into Wales.

It comes into force at 8pm tonight and ends at 9am tomorrow.

National Highways issued its own amber warning for snow in the West and East Midlands, which lasts from 6pm this evening until 9am tomorrow.

The agency said in a statement: ‘Routes particularly around Birmingham across to Leicester and Nottingham will see particularly difficult driving conditions and consideration of the weather forecast should be taken before commencing journeys, with considerable delays possible.’

Drivers were also warned that the A628 Woodhead Pass would be closed both ways between the A616 at Flouch and the A57 at Hollingworth from 8pm tonight due to the severe weather.

An amber wind warning from 5pm to 11pm today has been issued across parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as forecasters warn of 80 to 90mph gusts in ‘exposed places’.

There is a further yellow warning for wind for much of South West England from 3pm today until 6am tomorrow.

There is also a yellow warning for snow and ice in Scotland from 10pm last night until midday today and a yellow warning for ice in Northern Ireland from midnight until 10am today.

A yellow snow warning has been issued for a large part of England and much of Wales, and will be in place from 5pm today until midday tomorrow.

The Met Office said heavy snow may cause disruption and difficult travelling conditions.

Mr Burkill said 20cm (8in) or more of snow could settle, adding that is ‘enough to cause some severe disruption’.

A yellow rain warning has also been issued across the east of England from 6pm today to 9pm tomorrow, and in west Wales from midday today to 10am tomorrow.

Amber cold weather health alerts have been issued by the UK Health Security Agency until Sunday, meaning severe impacts across health and social care services are expected.

Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.

Shaun Jones from the AA said: ‘Motorists should be ready to adjust or even postpone travel plans if the conditions worsen. Storms can change quickly, and being flexible helps keep you and others safe.

‘If forecasts show heavier snow or stronger winds moving into your area, consider delaying your journey or working from home where appropriate.

‘Taking the time to plan ahead and making safety the priority will make a real difference as the storm continues to affect central England.’

In Scotland, many schools across the Highlands remain closed for a fourth day, as efforts to recover from days of heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures continue.

This includes more than 150 schools in Aberdeenshire, dozens of schools in the Highlands, and a number of schools in Moray and Orkney.

This comes after 440 schools were closed yesterday across a number of councils in Scotland, amounting to 18 per cent of the entire school estate, with remote learning being provided in many cases.

Ministers said that while wintry weather is continuing, the severe weather affecting the north of Scotland in particular has abated, allowing the recovery effort to begin.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said yesterday: ‘While the most severe weather has now abated, there is now significant work taking place to ensure that those hardest hit can return to as close to normality as possible.

‘The fact that major transport links are open is significantly helping to ensure that people have access to the services and supplies they need.

‘Work is now focusing to ensure that those who have experienced the most severe disruption, particularly the vulnerable, are being supported, with access routes and services reopened as soon as possible.

‘There are well-established, tried and tested processes at a national and local level for mutual support between local authorities, health boards, health and social care partnerships and other public sector agencies and the voluntary and community sectors.’

Aberdeenshire Council declared a major incident on Tuesday, warning of a ‘good chance’ some rural communities will be cut off, as well as the possibility of power cuts.

The village of Insch in Aberdeenshire was cut off after getting nearly a foot of snow, with locals describing it as ‘one of the worst winters in 25 years’.

Network Rail Scotland said the vast majority of Scotland’s railway had reopened yesterday, though there were still ‘challenges due to deep snow’ on the Inverness to Wick/Thurso line, with teams set to work through last night to clear it.

On the roads, Highland Council said there were overnight road closures due to snow on the A836 Lairg to Tongue road and the A897 Kinbrace to Halladale road, while Traffic Scotland said snow gates are shut on the A939 Cock Bridge to Tomintoul and the B974 Bridge of Dye.

Police Scotland urged people to follow travel advice.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: ‘Local resilience partnerships are continuing to meet to co-ordinate and deliver the response to disruption experienced by communities in the north and north-east of Scotland following heavy snowfall over the weekend.

‘We have been working closely with resilience partners across local authorities, other emergency service partners, transport partners, NHS and health and social care partnerships, and other local organisations to support communities affected by adverse weather and keep public services open where possible.

‘Some services may be impacted by adverse weather and I would encourage the public to check on neighbours or relatives, if they are able to do so safely.’

Posting on social media, First Minister John Swinney said: ‘I am very grateful to all public bodies and volunteers for the support that is being provided. Please stay safe.’

He had earlier paid tribute to the ‘truly exceptional’ efforts of farmers, volunteers and members of the public in helping clear roads, dig out cars and keep people safe, which he said showed ‘heartening’ community spirit.