Storm Goretti: Schools closing on Friday as Storm Goretti arrives with rare red weather warning
A number of schools will be closed on Friday as the Met Office issues weather warnings with Storm Goretti described as a “multi-hazard event.”
Some children will enjoy an impromptu long weekend after returning to school this week with Storm Goretti forcing closures on Friday (January 9). The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning, along with amber and yellow warnings covering most parts of the country.
The storm, named by French weather forecaster Meteo France, has been described as a “multi-hazard event” by the UK’s national weather service, with windy gusts of up to 100mph and as much of 30cm of snow possible in parts of the UK.
The red weather warning is in place from 4pm to 11pm on Thursday (January 8) as “dangerous, stormy” winds hit parts of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Winds of 67mph have already been recorded in Predannack, Cornwall, while peak gales of 80 to 100mph or more in exposed areas are expected, the forecaster said.
Weather warnings have also been issued for snow, wind, rain and ice across the UK, ahead of likely “disruption and dangerous travelling conditions”. Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far South West, though heavy rain in some parts of Wales and East Anglia also has the potential to bring disruption to many.”
The Cabinet Office said it was issuing two emergency alerts to the phones of those in affected areas, with around half a million people expected to receive one. The first was sent at about 3pm on Thursday to people in the Isles of Scilly, and the second at approximately 5pm on Thursday to people in Cornwall.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The emergency alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe. Compatible mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.”
Storm Goretti school closures
Dozens of schools in Cornwall closed early on Thursday afternoon as the storm approached and it is understood dozens more will be closed on Friday across the Midlands and Wales.
With an amber warning for snow in place from 8pm until 9am on Friday covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire, some schools have taken the decision to remain closed for the day.
The Met Office said rain associated with the storm in these areas will turn to “heavy snow”, which may lead to some rural communities being cut off. About 10 to 15cm of snow is likely across the warning area, with up to 30cm on higher ground in Wales and the Peak District.