Storm Goretti, the first named storm of 2026, is battering the United Kingdom with violent winds of up to 99mph, heavy snow, and widespread power outages, with Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly bearing the brunt of what forecasters describe as a rare and potentially record-breaking “weather bomb.”

Authorities are warning of a danger to life, severe travel disruption and long-lasting impacts on essential services, prompting urgent advice for residents and travelers to reconsider all but absolutely essential journeys in the far southwest.

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Red Alerts for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly as Weather Bomb Peaks

The Met Office has issued an exceptional red warning for wind for western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the highest level of weather alert available in the UK.

The red warning window, focused on Thursday evening, signals a period of rapidly intensifying, violent gusts capable of causing structural damage, bringing down power lines and trees, and generating huge coastal waves that threaten exposed communities and infrastructure along the Atlantic-facing coasts.

Forecasters report that Storm Goretti underwent explosive cyclogenesis as it crossed the south of the UK, with barometric pressure plunging rapidly in less than 24 hours.

This rapid deepening has transformed the system into a full-scale “weather bomb,” combining hurricane-force gusts in exposed headlands with heavy snowfall further north and bands of intense rain sweeping across Wales, the Midlands and eastern England.

At St Mary’s Airport on the Isles of Scilly, wind speeds have reached 99mph, setting a new local record and underlining the severity of conditions hitting the archipelago.

Gusts close to or exceeding 100mph are also being recorded along parts of the Cornish coast, with authorities warning that Goretti could rival, and in some locations surpass, the strongest winds seen in the region since the Great Storm of 1987 and more recent severe systems such as Storm Eunice and Storm Ciaran.

Power Outages, Downed Lines and Strain on Emergency Services

The most immediate impact for residents across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been the rapid and widespread loss of electricity.

National Grid and regional distribution operators report that more than 40,000 properties in southwest England have been left without power at various points through Thursday evening, with ongoing efforts under way to restore supplies where conditions allow engineers to access damaged lines safely.

Fallen trees, snapped branches and flying debris are creating highly hazardous working conditions for emergency and utility crews. Local fire and rescue services in Cornwall have been dealing with a growing queue of callouts, ranging from roof damage and blown-out windows to blocked roads and smashed vehicles.

Authorities caution that in some rural and coastal areas, full restoration of power and phone services may take time, especially where multiple poles and cables have been brought down over long stretches.

Mobile connectivity has also been intermittent in some of the hardest hit zones, compounding the challenges for both residents and tourists trying to stay informed or contact emergency services.

Officials are urging people to conserve battery power, use text messaging where possible, and check on vulnerable neighbors, particularly older residents or those relying on electrically powered medical equipment, once it is safe to do so.

Travel Chaos on Roads, Rail, Sea and in the Air

Travel across much of the UK is being severely disrupted, but the situation in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is particularly precarious as Storm Goretti peaks.

High winds, poor visibility, and debris-strewn routes have made many roads treacherous, with police and local councils repeatedly advising drivers not to travel unless absolutely necessary during the red warning period.

Fallen trees and large branches are blocking key routes, and there are reports of overturned vehicles on exposed stretches.

Rail services into and out of Cornwall are experiencing cancellations, diversions and severe speed restrictions. Network operators preemptively pared back timetables for Thursday evening and Friday morning, mindful of the risk of overhead line damage and track obstructions from fallen trees and coastal spray.

Passengers who must travel are being told to check schedules continuously and prepare for extended delays, last-minute cancellations and crowded replacement services where they are available.

Air and sea links have also been heavily affected. Regional carriers serving Newquay and small airfields in the southwest have issued weather advisories and, in some cases, grounded flights while the strongest gusts cross the region.

Services connecting the mainland with the Isles of Scilly are under intense pressure, with aviation and ferry operations either suspended or subject to rapid change as conditions fluctuate.

Travelers booked to fly or sail are being urged to assume disruption, monitor airline and operator alerts, and consider deferring journeys where possible.

Across the wider UK, major hubs such as Birmingham Airport have temporarily suspended runway operations as heavy snow and crosswinds make safe takeoffs and landings difficult or impossible.

Many domestic and regional flights have been canceled or diverted, with knock-on impacts likely to ripple through airline networks into Friday.

Schools, Businesses and Coastal Communities Shut Down

Local authorities in Cornwall advised all schools and colleges to close early on Thursday, and nearly one hundred educational institutions across the county complied ahead of the worst of the storm.

The move was intended to keep pupils and staff off the roads during the red warning window, and to give families time to secure homes and make arrangements in case of power cuts and telecommunications disruption overnight.

Businesses across the southwest have also closed early or shuttered for the day, particularly those along seafronts and exposed promenades. Shopfronts and hospitality venues in towns like Penzance, St Ives and Newquay have been boarded up or sandbagged in anticipation of possible coastal flooding and damage from flying debris.

Some hotels and guesthouses are operating on emergency power and have shifted to reduced services while they prioritize guest safety.

Coastal communities are a central focus of emergency planning. Very large waves driven by Gale- to storm-force winds are expected to batter the Atlantic coastline, sending spray and shingle across sea walls and coastal roads.

Authorities warn that people should stay well back from beaches, harbors and cliff paths, not only during the height of the storm but also in its immediate aftermath, when rogue waves and unstable ground conditions remain a serious risk.

Snow, Ice and Multi-Hazard Impacts Across the Rest of the UK

While Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly contend with the most dangerous winds, Storm Goretti is delivering a complex mix of hazards across much of the country. Heavy snowfall is affecting Wales, the Midlands and parts of northern England, where amber warnings for snow are in place.

Meteorologists expect widespread accumulations of 5 to 10 centimeters, rising to 15 to 25 centimeters on higher ground, and nearing 30 centimeters in some upland areas.

The combination of heavy snow, strong winds and sub-freezing temperatures has led to hazardous driving conditions, blocked rural routes and a heightened risk of communities, particularly in upland or remote areas, becoming temporarily cut off.

Authorities have reported multiple minor collisions and stranded vehicles as drivers misjudge braking distances on icy roads or attempt to navigate snow-bound lanes despite official advice to delay non-essential travel.

Further north, Scotland is grappling with snow and ice after successive days of wintry weather. Many schools in northern and highland regions were already closed earlier in the week and remain shut as local councils focus on clearance operations and support for vulnerable residents.

In parts of eastern England and Wales, rain falling onto frozen ground is increasing the likelihood of surface water flooding and hazardous spray on major roads.

Authorities Issue Strong Safety Guidance for Residents and Travelers

National forecasters and local authorities are emphasizing that the red warning in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly indicates an unusual and extremely dangerous situation.

Official guidance stresses that residents should stay indoors, keep away from windows during the most intense gusts, and avoid all non-essential travel.

Those living in coastal or cliff-top properties are advised to remain on the landward side of their homes and to be prepared for possible evacuation instructions should conditions deteriorate further.

Residents are being urged to secure loose items such as garden furniture, bins and building materials that could become airborne in violent gusts. Homeowners are also being advised to keep torches, spare batteries, fully charged mobile phones, and, where safe, alternative heating options at hand, given the heightened risk of extended power outages.

Carbon monoxide safety remains a priority, with officials strongly warning against using barbecues, camping stoves or outdoor heaters indoors.

For travelers, the message is blunt: reconsider your plans. Transport agencies and motoring organizations warn that high-sided vehicles, caravans and trailers are particularly vulnerable to overturning on exposed routes, and that even standard vehicles may be at risk of being buffeted across lanes in sudden gusts.

Those who must drive are urged to keep speeds low, leave extra braking distance, and avoid routes that run close to cliffs, sea walls or open moorland.

Health agencies have concurrent cold weather alerts in force, noting that prolonged low temperatures combined with power loss can increase the risk of hypothermia, respiratory illness and cardiovascular incidents, particularly among older adults and those with existing medical conditions.

Communities are being encouraged to check on elderly neighbors and anyone known to be living alone once it is safe to venture outside.

Outlook: When Will Conditions Ease and What Comes Next?

Forecasters expect Storm Goretti’s most violent winds in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to ease gradually after the red warning expires late on Thursday evening,, although conditions will remain blustery and hazardous into the early hours of Friday.

Snow and wintry showers are likely to persist overnight across central parts of England and Wales, with drifting and icy surfaces hampering Friday’s morning commute even as the storm’s core begins to move away.

Yellow and amber warnings for wind, snow and rain will remain in place into Friday for several regions, and authorities caution that the end of the red alert does not signify an immediate return to normality.

Debris-strewn roads, damaged infrastructure, localized flooding and weakened trees will continue to pose dangers for pedestrians and motorists.

Transport networks may take much of Friday, and possibly the weekend, to fully recover as rail operators inspect lines, highway agencies clear routes and airports work through backlogs.

For Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the focus is likely to shift quickly from impact to recovery. Power companies will prioritize reconnecting the largest clusters of customers, while local councils and volunteer groups coordinate welfare checks, emergency shelter and assistance for those whose homes have been damaged or who remain cut off.

Coastal engineers and harbor authorities will begin initial assessments of damage to sea defenses, piers and small craft, particularly in fishing and tourism-dependent communities.

Travelers planning trips to or through the southwest of England over the coming days are urged to factor in the possibility of ongoing disruption.

Flexible tickets, travel insurance that covers weather-related delays or cancellations, and close monitoring of local advice will be essential for anyone who cannot postpone journeys until conditions and infrastructure have stabilized.

FAQ

Q1. What exactly is Storm Goretti and why is it being called a “weather bomb”?
Storm Goretti is a deep Atlantic low-pressure system affecting the UK, named by the French national meteorological service after it underwent rapid intensification. It is being described as a “weather bomb” because its central pressure has fallen very quickly in less than 24 hours, a process known as explosive cyclogenesis, which leads to extremely strong winds and severe weather.

Q2. Why are Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly facing the most serious impacts?
The core of Goretti’s strongest winds is tracking close to the far southwest of England, where the Met Office has issued a red wind warning. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are exposed to the full force of Atlantic gusts, with coastal locations and high ground especially vulnerable to winds approaching or exceeding 100mph and very large waves.

Q3. How bad are the power outages right now?
Energy operators report that tens of thousands of homes and businesses in southwest England have lost power as high winds bring down lines, poles and transformers. Numbers are fluctuating as engineers restore some supplies while new faults emerge, but at various points more than 40,000 properties in the region have been without electricity.

Q4. Is it safe to travel to or within Cornwall during Storm Goretti?
During the red warning period, authorities strongly advise against all non-essential travel in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Roads may be blocked by debris or flooding, rail services are heavily disrupted, and air and sea links are curtailed. Travelers should postpone journeys where possible and follow official updates from transport operators and local councils.

Q5. How is Storm Goretti affecting the rest of the UK beyond the southwest?
Elsewhere, Goretti is bringing heavy snow to Wales, the Midlands and parts of northern England, along with strong winds and bands of heavy rain. Amber snow warnings are in place for central regions, with significant accumulations on higher ground, while yellow warnings highlight risks of icy roads, difficult driving conditions and localized flooding in other areas.

Q6. I am due to fly into the UK. What should I do about my travel plans?
Many airports are experiencing disruption, with some regional and domestic flights canceled, diverted or delayed due to crosswinds, snow and poor visibility. If you are scheduled to fly into the UK, contact your airline before leaving for the airport, monitor flight status closely, and be prepared for rebooking or extended delays, especially if your destination is in the southwest or central England.

Q7. What precautions should residents take at home during the storm?
Residents should stay indoors during the worst of the winds, keep away from windows, and avoid going outside to inspect damage until authorities say it is safe. Securing loose items in gardens, keeping torches and spare batteries ready, charging mobile phones in advance and having warm clothing and blankets accessible are all recommended. People using alternative heating or cooking methods should follow strict fire and carbon monoxide safety guidance.

Q8. How long is Storm Goretti expected to last?
The most severe conditions in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are forecast to last for a few hours during the red warning period, with winds gradually easing later in the night. However, strong winds, snow and icy conditions across the wider UK are likely to persist into Friday, and disruption to transport and power supplies may continue for some time after the storm’s center has moved away.

Q9. What should drivers know if they have no choice but to be on the roads?
Drivers who must travel should reduce speed, increase braking distance, and avoid exposed routes, bridges and coastal roads wherever possible. High-sided vehicles, caravans and trailers are particularly at risk in crosswinds. Motorists should carry warm clothing, water, snacks and a fully charged phone, and be prepared for sudden closures or diversions if roads become blocked by fallen trees or flooding.

Q10. I have a holiday or business trip booked in Cornwall in the coming days. Should I cancel?
Whether to cancel or postpone will depend on your travel dates, local damage and how quickly infrastructure is restored. At minimum, you should contact your accommodation, transport providers and travel insurer to understand your options, including fee-free changes. Given the scale of disruption and the potential for lingering issues with power, transport and coastal damage, travelers are advised to remain flexible and be ready to adjust plans at short notice.