EuroWire, LONDON: Severe winter weather brought by Storm Goretti has caused widespread disruption across the UK, forcing the closure of nearly 1,000 schools and prompting extensive travel delays as heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures continue to grip the country. The Met Office has issued multiple amber and yellow warnings for snow and ice, covering much of Scotland, northern England, Wales and parts of Northern Ireland, as temperatures plunged to their lowest levels of the season. Hundreds of schools across Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and northern England suspended operations on Monday and Tuesday due to hazardous road conditions and unsafe access routes. Local authorities confirmed that more than 330 schools were closed in Wales, about 320 in Scotland and nearly 200 in Northern Ireland, with further closures expected as freezing conditions persist.
In some areas, snow accumulations reached up to 20 centimeters, making many rural and highland routes impassable. The Met Office recorded temperatures as low as minus 12 degrees Celsius in northern parts of the country overnight, while much of central and southern England experienced sharp overnight frosts. Yellow warnings for ice were issued for several regions, with the agency warning that untreated surfaces could remain treacherous throughout the week. Local councils have deployed gritters and snowplows to priority roads, but several routes remain blocked by drifting snow and ice buildup. Transport networks across the UK have been heavily affected. Train services in northern Scotland were suspended on key lines due to frozen tracks and power supply failures. In England, services between Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle experienced severe delays, while operators in Wales reported cancellations caused by snow-blocked rail points.
Air travel has also been disrupted, with flights delayed or cancelled at Aberdeen, Inverness, Liverpool and Belfast airports. Several regional airports advised passengers to check with airlines before travelling, as further weather-related delays remain likely. Road travel has become particularly challenging, with police across several counties urging motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys. The UK’s National Highways agency warned that low visibility and compacted snow continue to make driving conditions hazardous, particularly on higher ground. Emergency services have responded to multiple incidents involving stranded vehicles and minor collisions on icy roads. Local authorities have also advised residents to prepare for potential power interruptions as strong winds and ice accumulation affect utility lines in parts of Scotland and northern England.
Sub-zero temperatures grip northern and central Britain
Health and safety agencies have issued nationwide alerts as temperatures remain well below seasonal averages. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated an amber cold-health alert for England, in effect until Friday, warning that prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures poses increased risks for vulnerable groups including the elderly, infants, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Public health officials urged residents to heat indoor spaces adequately and check on neighbours who may require assistance during the cold spell. Hospitals across several regions reported a rise in weather-related injuries, mainly from slips and falls on icy pavements. Public transport operators are working to restore disrupted services as conditions allow. Network Rail engineers have been deployed to de-ice overhead lines and clear track obstructions, while airport ground crews continue efforts to de-ice aircraft and runways.
Bus operators in several cities, including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff, reported partial service suspensions due to impassable roads, with limited replacement services available on key routes. Ferry operations between Scotland’s mainland and the Western Isles were also temporarily suspended as strong winds combined with freezing sea spray created unsafe sailing conditions. The severe weather comes as Storm Goretti, named by France’s meteorological agency, moves eastward across Western Europe. Meteorologists indicate that its associated cold air mass and frontal system are responsible for the widespread snowfall and icy conditions experienced across the British Isles since the weekend. While snowfall is expected to ease gradually in some areas, sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions are forecast to persist through much of the week, maintaining difficult travel conditions and ongoing school disruptions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
Storm Goretti marks UK’s coldest spell of winter 2026
The Met Office said amber and yellow warnings remain in effect across large parts of the country, and further updates will be issued as the system progresses. Emergency response teams remain on standby to assist affected communities, and the public is being advised to follow official weather updates and travel guidance. With freezing conditions set to continue, local councils have urged residents to take precautions, conserve heating resources, and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. The United Kingdom’s infrastructure and public services are expected to remain under strain as the cold spell endures through the coming days, marking one of the most widespread winter disruptions in recent years. The combination of snow, ice and record-low temperatures has tested transport systems, education services and emergency response capacities across the nation, underscoring the scale and severity of the winter weather event now gripping the country.