The UK is bracing for heavy snow on Thursday with amber “danger to life” weather warnings issued for large swathes of the country as Storm Goretti hits.
An amber wind warning for gusts of 80 to 90mph in Cornwall and will come into effect from 8pm on Thursday night, with large waves and debris causing a potential “danger to life”.
Meanwhile, an amber snow warning on Thursday night and into Friday morning could bring up to 30cm of snow in Wales and the Peak District.
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong described Storm Goretti as a "multi-hazard event" with heavy rain, strong winds and snow.
He said 5-10cm of snow is likely widely in Wales and the Midlands, with 15-25cm and a potential for up to 30cm in some areas.
Elsewhere, strong winds with gusts of 50-60mph will hit south-western areas on Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 60-70mph along exposed hills and coasts, the Met Office said.
Ambulance 999 calls soar as much as 20% thanks to Storm Goretti
Two school buses crash on ‘icy’ roads as UK prepares for Storm Goretti
Storm Goretti map: Where Britain will be hit by heavy snow and ice with further disruption expected
Storm Goretti threatens heavy snow and potential disruption in parts of UK
Key Points
- Nine weather warnings in place on Thursday
- Fire service issues warning about black ice after bus slips off road
- Thousands of UK passengers grounded by chaos at Amsterdam airport
- What weather warnings are in place for today?
- Storm Goretti brings amber warnings for heavy snow
Met Office says storm will bring 'wet and wintry weather' to UK
05:00 , Shaheena UddinMet Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said Storm Goretti will bring "wet, windy and wintry weather" to parts of the UK.
He said the storm 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."
Watch: Expert's key advice to keep your home warm in severe weather
04:00 , Daniel KeaneAmbulance 999 calls soar during freezing weather as Storm Goretti to hit UK
03:00 , Shaheena UddinAmbulance services have seen a surge in 999 calls during the freezing weather gripping the UK, as paramedics brace for further demand with the arrival of Storm Goretti.
Arctic air has plunged much of the country into sub-zero temperatures following the turn of the year, with temperatures falling to as low as -12.5 in Norfolk, while many northern regions have been blanketed in heavy snow.
The treacherous conditions, which have caused major disruption to transport services, have triggered amber cold health alerts and a warning from health secretary Wes Streeting that hospitals were coming under intense pressure.
Alex Ross reports:
Ambulance 999 calls soar during freezing weather as Storm Goretti to hit UK
Simon Calder explains: What is the cause of such extreme chaos at Amsterdam airport?
02:00 , Shaheena UddinThe Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Nearly 700 more flights have been cancelled on Wednesday at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, where snow, ice and high winds have wrecked schedules – especially for the Dutch airline KLM – for the past six days. On Wednesday, more than 100 links with the UK have been grounded.
Daniel Gustafsson of the flight-tracking website Flightradar24 says: “While Schiphol certainly can operate during winter weather, the airport’s de-icing infrastructure obviously isn’t designed to handle a barrage of snow for multiple days in a row.”
He warns of a “critical shortage” of de-icing fluid “that threatens to halt operations entirely”.
Mr Gustafsson writes: “Even a thin layer of ice on a wing can significantly affect lift which is why all critical surfaces of an aircraft must be completely free of snow and ice before takeoff. KLM operates a fleet of 25 de-icing trucks at Schiphol and is responsible for de-icing not only its own fleet but most aircraft at the airport. KLM’s de-icing teams have been using approximately 85,000 liters of fluid per day since Friday. This is extraordinary, leading to supplies depleting faster than they have been replenished.”
There is also a strictly finite time between when the aircraft is sprayed and take-off. “This window is referred to as holdover time,” he writes. “If an aircraft can’t depart within this crucial time window it must return for re-treatment.”
He adds that the potential “network domino effect” of a snarl-up at Amsterdam has led some airlines to cancel flights rather than risking an aircraft being stuck at Schiphol.
Recap: UKHSA extends amber cold health alerts into Sunday
01:00 , Shaheena UddinThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, running until Sunday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Cold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes
00:00 , Shaheena UddinYou can check whether your postcode is covered and if you are eligible for a cold weather payment here:
Cold weather payments triggered in 700 postcodes – check if you’re eligible
Aberdeenshire experiencing 'worst winter in 25 years'
23:00 , Shaheena UddinA village in Aberdeenshire has seen 30cm (just under 1ft) of snow in what the locals are calling “one of the worst winters in 25 years”.
Doug Griffin, 58, has lived in Insch, Aberdeenshire for 25 years, and said the weather conditions are “remarkable” and “exceptional” and the storm has caused the village to be cut off.
He said that while residents are used to snow, the drifts on Wednesday were currently 30cm (just under 12in) deep, and had been higher on Tuesday before they thawed.
Mr Griffin, a father-of-two who works from home for the North Sea Transition Authority, said that on Tuesday the drifts had been around 50cm deep.
He said that a snow plough had cleared the entrance to the local Co-Op, which he photographed on Tuesday evening with piles of snow reaching almost to the roof.
Witty names for Scottish gritters tackling the snowy conditions
22:00 , Shaheena UddinThe names of the fleet of gritters covering 400 miles of Scotland’s trunk roads have been decided by the Scottish public since 2020, and the vote has been gaining popularity with each passing year.
Highlights for this year include ‘Gritallica’, ‘Sled Zeppellin’ and ‘Skid Vicious’, as well as the James Bond-influenced ‘You Only Grit Ice’ and ‘Licence To Chill’. They follow on from previous Bond-themed gritters including ‘Coldfinger’, ‘On Her Majesty’s Slippery Surface’ and ‘Dr Snow’.
The names are available to view through the Traffic Scotland gritter tracker and this year’s team of gritters includes several hilarious cold-weather-themed names.
Entries from previous years also include ‘Gritney Spears’, ‘Keanu Freeze’ and ‘Sir David Attenbrrr’.
Watch: Airport staff make most of snowy weather as big freeze wreaks travel chaos
21:00 , Shaheena UddinThe UK is braced for heavy snowfall and strong winds from Storm Goretti with nine weather warnings issued across the country.
It comes after two buses full of school children crashed on icy roads on Wednesday.
Thursday will see a cloudy and cold start to the day with wintry weather as Storm Goretti, named by Meteo France, comes in from the south-west.
Met Office Meteorologist Alex Burkill said: “Storm Goretti is on its way, arriving later tomorrow and affecting us through tomorrow and into Friday, bringing some strong winds and some significant snow to central and perhaps southern parts.”
The meteorologist said the storm will bring “wet, windy and wintry weather” to parts of the UK.
“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,” he added.
Wednesday evening set to be cold with sleet and snow
20:00 , Shaheena UddinAnother cold evening ahead with sleet and snow continuing in north and northwest Scotland where icy stretches are likely ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 7, 2026
Turning cloudier in the west with light rain and drizzle, and some snow in the north ☁️
Cold and clear elsewhere with frost developing overnight ❄️ pic.twitter.com/kzmlcjDOS8
Snowed-in couple thank 'good Samaritan' farmer who cleared driveway
19:30 , Shaheena UddinA “good Samaritan” farmer came to the rescue of a couple, who were snowed in at their home in Aberdeenshire, by clearing their driveway for 20 minutes.
Graeme and Melanie Stewart, both 63, moved to Alford in Aberdeenshire around 18 months ago.
They began clearing the snow by shovel on Wednesday, a job which they expected to take three hours to complete, before a neighbouring stranger offered to help move the snow with his tractor.
Dr Stewart thanked the farming community for their collective efforts saving the day as the roads nearby would have been impassable if not for their help.
He said “It hasn’t stopped snowing since New Year’s Day. I have never seen it like this. I think its persistence has taken us by surprise, this has been remorseless.”
The snow reached about 4ft deep around the villages and has been blowing into drifts of around 6ft or 7ft.
While some smaller shops in the village are still being supplied, he explained that the transport problems had meant others have “ground to a halt”.
Dr Stewart works as a hospital consultant, and said medical services had been badly impacted and carers were having to walk to their appointments in the local area.
He added: “The whole thing has been chaotic, we are lucky in the village because people go the extra mile. I have been very impressed by the community spirit up here.”
In pictures: Lost Earth Adventures instructor Mick Ellerton, climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar
19:15 , Shaheena Uddin
Weekend weather forecast
18:45 , Shaheena UddinStorm Goretti’s influence will wane on Friday evening as the system moves to the east of England. There will be a short-lived interlude of calmer weather for many on Saturday with rain showers easing, cloud for those in the east, and sunny spells possible elsewhere.
However, by Sunday the forecast becomes very uncertain, according to Met Office deputy chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway.
He said: “It’ll remain cold or very cold to start the weekend, although for most it will be dry. We then have very large uncertainties in the forecast by Sunday and Monday as milder air from the Atlantic tries to displace the cold air over the UK. This set up brings a risk of some further widespread snowfall, so it’s important to stay aware of the forecast and any warnings which may be issued over the next few days.”
A low pressure will bring strong winds, heavy rain and snow to the UK
18:30 , Shaheena UddinA low pressure system is developing, named by Météo France as Storm Goretti
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 7, 2026
It will bring strong winds, heavy rain & snow to the UK
Small forecast changes could have large impacts on the location and intensity of wind and snow, so stay #WeatherAware 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/06X4icoRid
RAC breakdown services cautioning drivers to rethink whether 'it's safe to get behind the wheel'
18:15 , Shaheena UddinAlice Simpson, from RAC breakdown, said drivers in areas worst affected by Storm Goretti need to consider “if it’s safe to get behind the wheel” as icy conditions make the roads slippery and dangerous.
The AA is also urging drivers to take extreme care as Storm Goretti approaches, adding that they need to “approach every journey with heightened caution”.
Shaun Jones, AA expert patrol, said: “If forecasts show heavier snow or stronger winds moving into your area, consider delaying your journey or working from home where appropriate.”
Data from Virgin Media O2 showed broadband traffic was up by 17.4 per cent on Tuesday compared with the same Tuesday last year, suggesting more workers stayed at home instead of risking their commute to the office.
Iberia flight ‘double diversion’ lands Paris passengers in Luton
18:00 , Shaheena UddinOn a day of severe disruption at some key European airports, perhaps the unluckiest passengers of the day are those aboard Iberia flight IB569 from Madrid to Paris Orly – which made a double-divert before finally ending up in Luton.
The Airbus A321 with around 200 people on board took off from the Spanish capital at 6.57am GMT for what should have been a two-hour flight to Orly airport in Paris. After 96 minutes it entered a holding pattern southwest of the French capital.
The passengers were left 250 miles from their intended destination after extreme cold weather hits Europe.
Iberia flight ‘double diversion’ lands Paris passengers in Luton
Storm Goretti described as a 'multi-hazard event'
17:30 , Shaheena UddinThe Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong has described Storm Goretti as a “multi-hazard event”, as heavy rain, strong winds and snow are set to continue.
He predicted that 5-10cm of snow is likely widely in Wales and the Midlands, with 15-25cm in some places, and there is potential for it to reach up to 30cm locally.
Strong winds with gusts of 50-60mph will likely affect south-western areas on Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 60-70mph along exposed hills and coasts, the Met Office said.
A yellow snow warning has been issued for a large part of England and much of Wales, and will be in place from 6pm on Thursday until midday on Friday.
The Met Office said this might lead to heavy snow which will cause disruption and difficult travelling conditions.
Travel trouble as Amsterdam airport issues mass cancellations due to ice conditions
17:15 , Shaheena UddinMore than 350,000 passengers flying to and from Amsterdam Schiphol – including tens of thousands from the UK – have now had their flights cancelled as a result of extreme wintry weather.
Simon Calder, The Independent’s Travel correspondent reports:
Travel trouble.
— Simon Calder (@SimonCalder) January 7, 2026
Air: Amsterdam Schiphol remains chaotic.
100+ KLM flights between the UK and the Dutch hub have been grounded today, plus BA and easyJet services.
At least 676 Amsterdam flights cancelled today.
Rail: lines in far north Scotland are closed.https://t.co/ECMzgtB6Dr
NHS urges Brits to 'waddle like a penguin' to walk safely in icy conditions
17:00 , Shaheena UddinMeterologist issues safety tips when heading out into the storm
16:45 , Shaheena UddinMeteorologist Alex Burkill has said there are “a lot of slippery conditions out there”, which is “worth factoring in if you’re about to head out the door”.
Mr Burkill said: “Storm Goretti is on its way, arriving later tomorrow and affecting us through tomorrow and into Friday, bringing some strong winds and some significant snow to central and perhaps southern parts.”
The meteorologist said the storm will bring “wet, windy and wintry weather” to parts of the UK.
“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,” he added.
Mr Burkill said exactly how far north this travels is “all to play for”, adding: “Exactly where we see that significant snow, that’s still a little bit uncertain, but the risk is there.”
Recap: Several injured as two school buses crash on icy roads
16:15 , Shaheena UddinTwo buses full of school children have crashed on icy roads as Strom Goretti continues to grip the UK with more heavy snowfall expected.
In Berkshire, emergency services were called to the A3290 exit slip road, near the Sutton Seeds roundabout in Earley, Wokingham, in the morning after a road traffic collision involving a Reading bus and a school coach.
Nine children, the driver of the coach, and eight adults from the bus all suffered minor injuries, according to the South Central Ambulance Service.
Two patients, one of whom is a school child, have since been taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment.
A spokesperson for the service said a member of their team reported the road conditions were “very icy” at the scene.
Meanwhile, Kent Police were called to Chilmington Green, Ashford, soon after 8am after a school bus left the road and ended up in a ditch.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service said the bus was believed to have “slipped” off the road due to black ice.
In a statement, police said that there are “no reported injuries”.
Weekend weather forecast
16:00 , Bryony GoochStorm Goretti’s influence will wane on Friday evening as the system moves to the east of England. There will be a short-lived interlude of calmer weather for many on Saturday with rain showers easing, cloud for those in the east, and sunny spells possible elsewhere.
However, by Sunday the forecast becomes very uncertain, according to Met Office deputy chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway.
He said: “It’ll remain cold or very cold to start the weekend, although for most it will be dry. We then have very large uncertainties in the forecast by Sunday and Monday as milder air from the Atlantic tries to displace the cold air over the UK. This set up brings a risk of some further widespread snowfall, so it’s important to stay aware of the forecast and any warnings which may be issued over the next few days.”
Recap: UKHSA extends amber cold health alerts into Sunday
15:45 , Bryony GoochThe UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended amber cold health alerts for England as an early warning that adverse temperatures are likely to affect health and wellbeing, running until Sunday.
Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “As the colder weather sets in, it is vital to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“The forecast temperatures can have a serious impact on the health of some people, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections, particularly for individuals over the age of 65 and those with pre-existing health conditions.”
Storm Goretti 'will be a multi-hazard event' says Met Office
15:30 , Bryony GoochThe Met Office has warned that Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event.
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, though rain and strong winds also have the potential to bring disruption to many.
“Goretti will bring snow on its northern edge, this most likely over Wales and the Midlands. Here accumulations of 5-10 cm are likely widely, with 15-25 cm in some places, especially hills, and perhaps up to 30 cm very locally.
“An Amber warning has been issued where the greatest risk of disruption is likely on Thursday night into Friday morning, though updates may be required as confidence increases in the exact track of Storm Goretti.”
Avanti West Coast urges passengers to travel on Wednesday, not Thursday
15:15 , Bryony GoochAvanti West Coast, which runs intercity trains between London Euston, the West Midlands, northwest England, North Wales and southern Scotland, is inviting passengers booked to travel on Thursday to make their journeys on Wednesday to avoid Storm Goretti.
The rail firm says: "The Met Office has issued weather warnings due to Storm Goretti, with heavy snowfall affecting parts of England and Wales on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 January. As a result of these weather conditions, there is a risk of disruption on the rail network.
“If you have an Avanti West Coast ticket dated Thursday 8 January, you can use it at no extra cost to travel at any time today (Wednesday 7 January) on the same route.”
In pictures: Lost Earth Adventures instructor Mick Ellerton, climbs a frozen waterfall in Gordale Scar
15:00 , Bryony Gooch
Nine weather warnings in place on Thursday: Summary
14:45 , Bryony GoochThe Met Office has issued two amber and seven yellow weather warnings across the country on Thursday.
Northern Ireland will see a yellow ice warning in place from midnight on Wednesday to 10am on Thursday, with temperatures expected to fall rapidly and bring an ice risk overnight.
Snow and ice are likely to cause further disruption overnight on Wednesday through to Thursday morning for Scotland, as the Met Office has extended a yellow weather warning until 12pm.
A yellow wind warning is in place across the southwest of England and Wales as a deep area of low pressure will move across the south of the UK during Thursday and into Friday, bringing a mixture of rain, snow and strong winds. The warning is in place from 3pm until midnight.
Two yellow weather warnings for snow will be in place across Wales, the southeast and west of England, and the Midlands on Thursday from 5pm and 8pm. Storm Goretti will likely bring heavy snow over higher ground in south Wales.
In some areas, 5 to 10cm of snow may settle with the potential for up to 20cm in some locations, especially over higher ground. Strong winds may lead to some drifting of snow.
Later in the evening, an amber warning for heavy snow from 8pm will cover parts of Wales, the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
The snowfall, brought by Storm Goretti, will mean trains and planes could be delayed or cancelled, rural communities may cut off, and power cuts or disruption to mobile signal are likely, forecasters said. The warning stretches from Sheffield in the north, down to Leicester, across much of the West Midlands and into Wales.
An amber wind weather warning is in place over Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday from 5pm to 11pm as the forecaster warned there may be a “danger to life” from large waves and debris being thrown onto beachfront roads and properties.
Storm Goretti may bring a short period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall on Thursday evening, with peak gusts potentially of 80 to 90mph in exposed areas.
Two yellow weather warnings for rain are in place from midday in south Wales and eastern England from 6pm.
Plunge in temperature triggers first cold weather payments of winter
14:30 , Bryony GoochThe recent plunge in temperature has triggered the first cold weather payments of the winter in England and Wales.
Some 673,000 eligible people will receive the Government payment in areas of the country that met the threshold in the week ending 2 January.
Each payment is worth £25, suggesting the overall cost will be £16.8 million.
The scheme is run by the Department for Work & Pensions and is targeted at people on benefits who are considered most vulnerable to the cold, including older residents receiving pension credit and universal credit claimants who meet certain conditions.
Payments are triggered by the average temperature measured by the Met Office at 71 weather stations across England and Wales.
Simon Calder explains: What is the cause of such extreme chaos at Amsterdam airport?
14:16 , Tara CobhamThe Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Nearly 700 more flights have been cancelled on Wednesday at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, where snow, ice and high winds have wrecked schedules – especially for the Dutch airline KLM – for the past six days. On Wednesday, more than 100 links with the UK have been grounded.
Daniel Gustafsson of the flight-tracking website Flightradar24 says: “While Schiphol certainly can operate during winter weather, the airport’s de-icing infrastructure obviously isn’t designed to handle a barrage of snow for multiple days in a row.”
He warns of a “critical shortage” of de-icing fluid “that threatens to halt operations entirely”.
Mr Gustafsson writes: “Even a thin layer of ice on a wing can significantly affect lift which is why all critical surfaces of an aircraft must be completely free of snow and ice before takeoff. KLM operates a fleet of 25 de-icing trucks at Schiphol and is responsible for de-icing not only its own fleet but most aircraft at the airport. KLM’s de-icing teams have been using approximately 85,000 liters of fluid per day since Friday. This is extraordinary, leading to supplies depleting faster than they have been replenished.”
There is also a strictly finite time between when the aircraft is sprayed and take-off. “This window is referred to as holdover time,” he writes. “If an aircraft can’t depart within this crucial time window it must return for re-treatment.”
He adds that the potential “network domino effect” of a snarl-up at Amsterdam has led some airlines to cancel flights rather than risking an aircraft being stuck at Schiphol.
Snow-hit Aberdeenshire village experiencing ‘worst winter in 25 years’
14:00 , Tara CobhamA village in Aberdeenshire has seen 30cm (just under 1ft) of snow in “one of the worst winters in 25 years”, according to locals.
Doug Griffin, 58, has lived in Insch, Aberdeenshire, for 25 years, and said the weather conditions – which have caused the village to be cut off – are “remarkable” and “exceptional”.
He said that while residents are used to snow, the drifts on Wednesday were currently 30cm (just under 12in) deep, and had been higher on Tuesday before they thawed.
Mr Griffin, a father-of-two who works from home for the North Sea Transition Authority, said that on Tuesday the drifts had been around 50cm deep.
He said that a snow plough had cleared the entrance to the local Co-Op, which he photographed on Tuesday evening with piles of snow reaching almost to the roof.
Mr Griffin said: “It has been a long time since we have had anything like this, it is very different here. We moved up to the north-east 25 years ago, the first winter was quite bad, 2010 was quite bad, but this might be the worst.
“I was going round to the Co-Op to get some stuff, and it took my breath away. They ploughed the road, I think they had cleared some of the car park.
“I think there’s about 30cm of snow lying everywhere at the moment.
“It is slightly wetter today, and I think some of the snow in Aberdeen has gone.
“At my front door, the depth is about 30cm. We are snowed in, we have not been able to get out of the village for a few days.”
Ambulance 999 calls soar during freezing weather as Storm Goretti to hit UK
13:45 , Tara CobhamAmbulance services have seen a surge in 999 calls during the freezing weather gripping the UK, as paramedics brace for further demand with the arrival of Storm Goretti.
Arctic air has plunged much of the country into sub-zero temperatures following the turn of the year, with temperatures falling to as low as -12.5 in Norfolk, while many northern regions have been blanketed in heavy snow.
The treacherous conditions, which have caused major disruption to transport services, have triggered amber cold health alerts and a warning from health secretary Wes Streeting that hospitals were coming under intense pressure.
Alex Ross reports:
Ambulance 999 calls soar during freezing weather as Storm Goretti to hit UK
Hundreds of schools shut for third day as further ice and snow warnings issued
13:35 , Tara CobhamHundreds of schools in northern Scotland remain shut for a third day as the country continues to be gripped by wintry conditions, with fresh weather warnings issued.
Heavy snow has delayed the return to school after the winter break for thousands of pupils in northern Scotland who were due to go back on Monday.
In Aberdeenshire all schools and council-run nurseries remain closed for a third day on Wednesday, along with dozens of schools in Moray and Aberdeen and a number of those in Orkney and Shetland.
Pupils in the Highlands were due to return from the holidays on Wednesday but many now have an extra day off, with more than 120 schools shut due to the weather conditions.
Nine children among 18 injured after school coach crashes with Reading bus due to black ice
13:23 , Tara CobhamNine children are among 18 people who have been injured after a school coach crashed with a bus due to black ice.
Police confirmed there were two collisions at a roundabout in Reading on Wednesday as a result of the bad weather – one involving two cars and one involving a school coach and a Reading bus. The ambulance service said the incidents happened near the Sutton Seeds Roundabout in Early shortly after 8am.
Nine children from the school coach suffered minor injuries, along with the coach driver, and eight adults from the Reading bus also suffered minor wounds. Two people were taken to hospital, while the remaining 16 people were discharged at the scene.
No one was injured in the crash involving two cars.
Thames Valley Police said “road conditions were very icy at the scene” with “weather-related black ice” confirmed as the cause of the incidents.
Cold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes
13:01 , Bryony GoochCold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes – check if you’re eligible
Watch: Moment passerby walks over frozen lake to save dog walker stuck in ice
12:50 , Bryony GoochVulnerable pensioners to receive extra support as Cold Weather Payments triggered
12:41 , Bryony GoochVulnerable pensioners and other households on low incomes will receive automatic payments of £25 to help them stay warm this week, the Department of Work and Pensions has said after cold weather payments were triggered six times since November last year.
Over one million eligible households to automatically receive £25 for every seven-consecutive-day period of very cold weather.
Payments have been triggered in 697 postcodes across parts of England, Wales and Northern Ireland as temperatures drop to zero degrees or below.
Support is available to those on Pension Credit as well as some on Universal Credit and other qualifying benefits
Red Cross teams on the ground in Scotland and Northern Ireland
12:25 , Bryony GoochBritish Red Cross teams have been on the ground in areas including Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing support to those affected by the freezing conditions. The charity has also deployed emergency response vehicles to help transport domiciliary care workers, ensuring vital care reaches people who need it most.
Eleanor Stack, British Red Cross Operations Lead, said: "With multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice on Wednesday and Thursday, our teams are on standby again.
“As the temperature dips, there are some simple steps we can all take to make sure we are prepared for the colder weather. This includes thinking about your home heating and other ways to keep warm as well as preventing water pipes from freezing.
“Your travel might be disrupted by severe winter weather too. Consider whether you really need to travel or if you should wait until conditions improve, especially if the weather is severe. You should especially bear this in mind when travelling with people who may need more help such as younger children or older people. Always check the weather forecast and travel updates and think about planning alternative routes in case you need them.”
Storm Goretti brings amber warnings for heavy snow
12:17 , Bryony GoochThe Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy snow from Thursday evening into Friday, covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
The snowfall, brought by Storm Goretti, will mean trains and planes could be delayed or cancelled, rural communities may cut off, and power cuts or disruption to mobile signal are likely, forecasters said.
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 on Thursday and ends at 9am on Friday.
In pictures: Bus slips off road because of black ice
12:10 , Bryony Gooch
Storm Goretti to bring 80-90mph winds to Isles of Scilly
11:53 , Bryony GoochAn amber wind weather warning is in place over Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on Thursday from 5pm to 11pm.
The warning, which means there will be a “danger to life” from large waves and debris being thrown onto beachfront roads and properties, covers the Scilly Isles and parts of Cornwall including Truro and Newquay.
Storm Goretti may bring a short period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall on Thursday evening, with peak gusts potentially of 80-90 mph in exposed areas. This will depend on the exact track of Storm Goretti, and should the low pressure system track further south then the risk of these very strong winds would reduce.
This system has been named by Meteo France as the strongest winds associated with Storm Goretti are most likely over northern France.
Mapped: Amber weather warning issued for Thursday
11:35 , Bryony Gooch
Warning about scam airline accounts on social media
11:28 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
KLM’s customer service operation has been overwhelmed by having to deal with more than 350,000 passenger whose flights have been cancelled.
To try to cash in on travellers’ frustrations, many scam accounts have been set up by fraudsters impersonating the airline. They will ask for details and a contact number by direct message (DM), and then call to pretend they are wanting to pay compensation – while actually helping themselves to hundreds of pounds.
One example – reported, along with many others, to X – is a fake account called Client Helpline KLM. It was set up in the past few days and has just two followers. One passenger was told: “We would like to closely look at the concern raised. Kindly follow back and share with us via dm your email address and mobile number we reach out and assist.”
As The Independent has reported, if the passenger realises a fraud is underway and breaks contact, there is a danger that the booking may be cancelled out of spite – potentially costing hundreds of pounds.
Fire service issues warning about black ice after bus slips off road
11:24 , Bryony GoochKent Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a bus which had slipped off the road on the A28 in Great Chart, near Ashford.
Three fire engines attended and crews worked to make the scene safe and assist with disembarkation of passengers safely off the bus and into alternative transport.
There are no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be the vehicle slipping on black ice.
Crews are reminding everyone to use extra caution when driving in cold temperatures as there could be black ice on the roads, so avoid sudden breaking and leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front.
Mapped: New weather warning for Northern Ireland and Scotland on Thursday
11:23 , Bryony Gooch
How are storms named?
11:15 , Bryony GoochStorms for each year are named as part of a collaborative effort between the Met Office and their partners in Ireland and the Netherlands. More than 50,000 suggestions were submitted for this storm season, which includes entries from members of the public that have been submitted to Met Éireann and KNMI.
However, Storm Goretti was named by Meteo France, given that the brunt of the bad weather is expected to be felt in France. While the word has no particular significance in the French language, its origin stems from an Italian virgin saint of particular importance to the Catholic church.
This can regularly occur when a bout of severe bad weather develops overseas before arriving in the UK - Storm Benjamin, which hit in October, was named by Meteo France, and Storm Claudia in November was named by Spain’s forecaster AEMET.
Yellow ice warning dissipates over Northern Ireland
11:01 , Bryony GoochA yellow ice warning which was in place over Northern Ireland has finished, according to the Met Office.
Northern Ireland saw an ice risk overnight, especially on untreated surfaces, and a fresh dusting of snow in a few places.
A yellow snow and ice warning remains in place over Scotland, which has faced the brunt of disruption.
Five day weather forecast
10:45 , Bryony GoochToday:
An icy start for many. Plenty of dry weather around though with some sunshine. Sleet and snow showers across northern and northeastern Scotland. Thicker cloud with rain arriving across Northern Ireland, southwest Wales and southwest England later. A cold wind.
Tonight:
Wintry showers easing in the northeast. Widely frosty in the north and east with freezing fog patches. Meanwhile, rain in the west edging slowly east, with some snow in north.
Thursday:
Bright spells in the north but with showers, mainly northern and western Scotland where some wintry. Turning wet and windy further south with snow, especially on hills. Coastal gales developing.
Friday to Sunday:
Wind, rain and snow associated with storm Goretti clearing eastwards on Friday. Mostly fine on Saturday. Frost early and late. Further wet and windy weather, with some snow arriving Sunday.
Chaos for passengers seeking to fly to Paris Orly
10:30 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
The second airport in the French capital, Paris Orly, has been turning flights away because of severe slow. Many flights, including long-haul arrivals from the Caribbean, have been diverted to more southerly airports – particularly Lyon and Marseille, but also Toulouse, Bordeaux and Basel. They are unable to divert to Paris CDG because of restrictions on movements at the leading French airport.
Other flights, including from Milan Linate and Madrid, returned to their starting points.
One Iberia departure from Madrid to Paris Orly is diverting to London Heathrow – where many passengers may face problems because they will not have the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) required of all foreign arrivals in the UK except Irish citizens.
Storm Goretti map: Where Britain will be hit by heavy snow and ice with further disruption expected
10:17 , Bryony Gooch
Storm Goretti map: Where Britain will be hit by heavy snow and ice
Eurostar disarray due to snow and ice in France and the Netherlands
10:11 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
Eurostar, which runs trains between London St Pancras International and Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, has warned of “severe delays and last-minute cancellations”.
All the morning trains between London and Paris are delayed, some by over an hour. An early evening round-trip between the two cities has been cancelled.
One service from Amsterdam via Brussels to London is being started at the Belgian capital.
The train operator warns: “Due to adverse weather conditions on the Eurostar network, our trains are likely to be subject to severe delays and last-minute cancellations.”
Ice warning ends in England and Wales
10:00 , Bryony GoochA yellow ice weather warning has come to an end in England and Wales, but warnings remain in place in both Northern Ireland and Scotland as weather conditions remain cold and slippery.
Scotland will be under a yellow snow and ice weather warning until midnight.
Recap: Scottish ministers meet local authorities to discuss response to severe weather
09:52 , Bryony GoochMinisters in Scotland met police, local authorities, utilities companies and other bodies on Tuesday to discuss the response to the severe weather.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired the meeting, said “difficult conditions” are expected to remain this week, and ministers will “continue to closely monitor the situation and to engage with local partners in severely affected areas”.
Posting on social media, John Swinney said: “Please be aware of amber warning of snow affecting much of the north of Scotland today and the yellow warning of snow and ice across most of Scotland.
“I am very grateful to all public bodies and volunteers for the support that is being provided. Please stay safe.”
The First Minister 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.
Snow wrecks schedules at Paris CDG airport
09:46 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
Many of the passengers whose journey plans via Amsterdam are disrupted have been re-routed through Paris CDG – but the French hub is now covered with heavy snow. The French Civil Aviation Authority, the DGAC, has ordered airlines to cancel 40 per cent of flights on Wednesday.
Passengers on Air France are worst affected, with at least 76 flights cancelled so far – including links to and from Heathrow, Birmingham and Newcastle. Further cancellations are expected.
British Airways has grounded a single round-trip from Heathrow, while easyJet has cancelled a flight to and from Venice.
Mapped: Where Storm Goretti will hit on Thursday
09:38 , Bryony Gooch
How you could be fined for de-icing your car
09:30 , Bryony Gooch
Roads closed in Scotland, England and Wales
09:26 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
Roads in northern Scotland are severely disrupted and many routes are only passable with extreme care. Traffic Scotland has closed the A93 Perth-Aberdeen road between Braemar and the Spittle of Glenshee turn-off. The A939 linking Nairn on the Moray coast with the Grampians remains closed.
In Cumbria the main north-south route through the Lake District, the A591, is closed because of ice between Keswick and Grasmere. The A57 Snake Pass in Derbyshire is also closed.
In Wales, the Horseshoe Pass on the A542 is closed.
Analysis: Could Amsterdam chaos drive more passengers to fly direct?
09:20 , Bryony Gooch
LNER issues adverse weather travel alert
09:12 , Bryony GoochLNER has issued an adverse weather travel alert for customers hoping to catch a train to Scotland.
“Disruption to services in northern Scotland until the end of the day on Thursday 8 January
“Heavy snow is causing disruption to services across northern Scotland. There are yellow weather warnings in place for snow and ice.
“As a result of the weather forecast, customers should expect cancellations, alterations or heavy delays to services running in the areas affected by the poor weather.
“Disruption to journeys is expected to continue until the end of the day on Thursday 8 January.”
Analysis: KLM cancels more than 100 UK flights as Amsterdam airport passengers endure sixth day of chaos
09:07 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, Travel Correspondent reports:
The Dutch airline KLM has cancelled at least 600 flights on Wednesday as it struggles with extreme wintry weather at its hub, Amsterdam Schiphol, for a sixth day.
KLM told passengers: "By making this decision now, we can provide our passengers with timely clarity and prevent last-minute flight cancellations, leaving travellers stranded at Schiphol.
“Many KLM colleagues, including office staff and crew, are making extra efforts to assist our passengers at Schiphol as best as possible."
More than 100 are to and from the UK are grounded, affecting an estimated 10,000 passengers.
At least four services to and from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Heathrow, Humberside, Leeds Bradford, London City, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich have been grounded.
British Airways has cancelled 10 flights linking Heathrow with Amsterdam, and a round-trip from London City.
Cold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes
09:00 , Bryony GoochCold weather payments triggered in over 400 postcodes – check if you’re eligible
In pictures: Alford covered in snow after Aberdeenshire Council declares 'major incident'
08:51 , Bryony Gooch
Rail travel in the north of Scotland remains blocked by snow
08:36 , Bryony GoochSimon Calder, travel correspondent, reports:
Railways in the far north of Scotland are still blocked by snow. ScotRail trains on key lines in the north of the country have been cancelled due to heavy and drifting snows north of Lairg and on the entire lnverness-Kyle of Lochalsh line.
LNER is advising passengers not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen as the rail firm “cannot that guarantee a service will run until Friday 9 January at the earliest”.
Further south, LNER terminated an early Edinburgh-London King's Cross train at Newcastle “due to heavy snow”. Other services on the East Coast Main Line have been cancelled or curtailed “due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time”.
In southeast England, rush-hour rail passengers face another morning of disruption on the Elizabeth and Great Western lines to and from London Paddington due to overrunning engineering work.
In South Yorkshire, another theft of signalling cables between Doncaster and Sheffield means that some line are disrupted. As a result, trains will have to run at reduced speeds on some lines. Trains may be delayed up to 30 minutes or cancelled.
Mass flight and train cancellations as snow wreaks travel chaos
08:26 , Bryony GoochMore than 350,000 passengers flying to and from Amsterdam Schiphol – including tens of thousands from the UK – have now had their flights cancelled as a result of extreme wintry weather. On the sixth day of flight chaos at the Dutch hub, the home airline KLM is warning it could run out of de-icing fluid.
In the UK, the Met Office warns: “The current cold snap continues, before a deep area of low pressure threatens to bring further snow, strong winds and heavy rain to southern parts of the UK from Thursday night.”
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Mass flight and train cancellations as snow wreaks travel chaos
Watch: Airport staff make most of snowy weather as big freeze wreaks travel chaos
08:22 , Bryony GoochNorthern Scottish pupils unable to return to school for third day
08:16 , Bryony GoochHundreds of schools in northern Scotland will remain closed for a third day as much of the country braces itself for further snow and icy conditions.
Heavy snow in the first part of the week led to hundreds of schools being closed across northern Scotland on Tuesday, and while many are set to reopen on Wednesday, disruption continues in many areas.
This includes Aberdeenshire, where all schools and council-run nurseries will remain closed, along with dozens of schools in Moray and Aberdeen and a number of those in Orkney and Shetland.
Pupils in the Highlands were due to return from the festive break on Wednesday but many will have an extra day off with more than 120 schools shut due to the weather conditions.
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.
How to stay safe during icy conditions
08:02 , Bryony GoochAs the Met Office warns drivers and travellers to be careful on their journeys due to icy conditions, the RAC has issued advice on how to stay safe.
RAC breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “In these conditions, the key is allowing more time at every stage of the journey, whether that’s clearing vehicles of snow and ice before setting off or reducing the speed at which you’re travelling.
“Never be tempted to use hot water to clear a frozen windscreen which, rather than being a hack could actually lead to an expensive crack.
“Instead, leave more time before setting off and carry a decent scraper and de-icer so you can clear the windscreen quickly.
“It’s important to have plenty of screen wash that protects down to at least minus 10 degrees, ensuring you always have a clear view due to all the dirt from gritted roads.”
In pictures: Sheep graze in a field in the snow in Scotland
07:56 , Bryony Gooch
Cold weather payments triggered for thousands of households
07:51 , Bryony GoochThe recent drop in temperature has triggered cold weather payments for hundreds of thousands of households, designed to help elderly and vulnerable people with heating costs, the Government said.
Eligible households automatically receive £25 when temperatures are recorded or forecast to be zero degrees or below over seven consecutive days.
Payments will support households in 451 postcode areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including Penrith in Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales, Norwich in Norfolk, Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, and Crawley in West Sussex.
Cold weather payments have been triggered on five separate days: 30 December, 1 January, 2 January, 3 January and 6 January, and have been triggered twice for households in parts of Cumbria and Northumberland, which stand to receive a £50 payout.
Met Office advises people travelling to be careful on their journeys
07:45 , Bryony GoochThe Met Office has advised those travelling on Wednesday morning to check road conditions, bus and train timetables and amend travel plans if necessary.
Forecaster Marco Petagna said: “In the ice warnings, be careful of slippery surfaces and potential for injuries, so take care on footpaths.
“Icy patches could affect untreated roads, not all roads and pavements and cycle paths are treated so just be aware that away from major highways there could be icy and slippery conditions for a while tomorrow morning.”
Ice warnings in place across the UK this morning
07:42 , Bryony GoochIce warnings are in place across the UK ahead of a storm which is set to bring heavy snow later in the week.
The Met Office has issued yellow ice warnings for most of the UK, including Northern Ireland, for Wednesday morning amid an Arctic air mass which has brought wintry showers across the country.
A yellow warning for snow and ice is in place all day on Wednesday in northern Scotland, with residents there told to expect a further 5-10cm of snow.
On Tuesday, the temperature at Marham in Norfolk dropped to minus 12.5C, according to the Met Office.
Full list of all UK schools closed today due to snow and ice
07:36 , Bryony GoochFind out which schools might be closed today in your area as the cold snap continues with ice warnings across the UK.
Read more here:
Full list of all UK schools closed today due to snow and ice
Mapped: What are the latest weather warnings today?
07:32 , Bryony Gooch
