(UNITED KINGDOM) — airlines and transport operators cancelled flights, shut runways and issued “do not travel” warnings on Friday as Storm Goretti brought snow and ice across the UK and parts of Western Europe.
Air travel disruption
At london heathrow, at least 69 flights to and from the airport were cancelled on Friday, likely affecting more than 9,000 passengers. British Airways cancelled 25 departures and 27 arrivals at Heathrow.
Other UK airports issued travel advisories or faced closures:
- East Midlands Airport closed its runway due to heavy snowfall (statement issued at 5am) and told passengers to check with airlines.
- Birmingham Airport said at 7:15am that its runway had reopened on a reduced basis after earlier disruption.
- Manchester, London Luton and Southampton airports advised passengers to check flight status before travelling.
- In the Channel Islands, Jersey and Guernsey airports closed on Thursday evening, with some morning flights cancelled on Friday; operations were expected to return closer to normal on Friday afternoon.
Across the North Sea, Amsterdam Schiphol had at least 70 flights pre-emptively cancelled for Friday, with disruption status marked as “future – confirmed disruption” for 9 January 2026.
Cancellations at hub airports can ripple through airline networks, affecting inbound aircraft and onward connections.
Rail, ferry and road impacts
- Avanti West Coast issued a “do not travel” advisory on Midlands routes until 1pm GMT on Friday due to heavy snowfall on the West Coast Main Line. The operator ran an amended timetable between 7am and 3pm.
- Ferry services faced disruption, including routes to Scottish islands and the Channel Islands. Operators warned of continued issues through Monday 12 January 2026 on some northern and island routes.
- Road and rail operators warned of treacherous conditions, particularly on higher routes and untreated roads. Local councils urged residents to limit movement where conditions were worst.
Power outages and restoration
Engineers were working to restore electricity amid widespread outages.
| Region(s) affected | Properties with power restored (as of 8am) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South West, Midlands, South Wales | 147,983 | Engineers restored power; tens of thousands remained without electricity |
| France (northern regions) | — | About 380,000 homes without electricity on Friday morning |
Power restoration efforts continued alongside transport disruption, but tens of thousands remained without electricity in affected regions.
Weather summary and warnings
The UK Met Office described Storm Goretti as a “multi-hazard event” featuring heavy snowfall, very strong winds, heavy rain and ice. It said Goretti’s direct influence would wane Friday evening as the system moved east.
- Snow and ice warnings remained in force for much of the UK into the weekend.
- Forecasters warned of an ongoing risk of icy roads, further snow showers, and continuing disruption.
- The greatest risks could shift quickly as conditions changed; untreated roads and higher routes were highlighted as particularly dangerous.
Regional impacts
- Wales and the Midlands: singled out for the most significant snow impacts.
- Far South West (including Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly): experienced the strongest winds.
- St Mary’s Airport (Isles of Scilly) recorded winds of 99mph, a new record for that site.
- Scotland (Aberdeenshire and the Highlands): several days of intense snowfall, ice and sub‑zero temperatures brought amber warnings. Rural communities were warned they could be cut off and face power cuts.
- Aberdeenshire Council declared a major incident due to snow disruption.
Local authority and operator responses
- The Isles of Scilly Council asked residents to stay at home unless travel is essential, following damage and power issues.
- Councils and forecasters warned disruption to power, transport and schools was likely to persist for several days as communities dug out and repaired damage.
- Transport operators repeatedly urged passengers to check flight status before travelling or to avoid travel on specific routes, reflecting uncertainty from shifting snow and ice conditions.
Expected duration and outlook
Forecasters stressed that although the storm’s direct influence would wane Friday evening, the aftermath would be felt for longer. Snow and ice were expected to keep travel difficult even after the strongest winds eased.
- Persistent wintry showers and icy conditions were forecast across large parts of the UK.
- Disruptions from cancelled flights, reduced runway operations, disrupted rail services and ferry delays pointed to a challenging weekend for travellers.
- Operators warned some northern and island routes could see issues continuing through Monday 12 January 2026.
Key takeaway: while winds were expected to ease, the ongoing risks from snow and ice — especially on untreated roads, higher routes and in rural communities — meant disruption and dangers would likely continue into the coming days.
Storm Goretti has triggered widespread chaos, resulting in hundreds of flight cancellations at Heathrow and Schiphol, rail suspensions, and massive power outages across the UK and France. With record winds of 99mph and heavy snowfall, authorities have declared major incidents in regions like Aberdeenshire. Although the storm is moving east, persistent ice and snow warnings mean travel risks and service disruptions are likely to continue through Monday.
