How you will be impacted by Storm Goretti as 'danger to life warning' issued amid travel lockdown
The Met Office has issued a rare 'danger to life' warning as Storm Goretti prepares to batter parts of the UK.
People living on the south west coast have been told to expect 'flying debris resulting in danger to life,' caused by winds of up to 100mph in what the Met Office has described as a 'multi-hazard event.'
Elsewhere in the UK, several yellow weather warnings are in place due to heavy snow, rainfall, and freezing temperatures.
"Storm Goretti will bring a period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall on Thursday evening, with peak gusts of 80-100 mph or more in exposed areas," the Met Office said in a statement.
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"Winds are expected to increase rapidly from 30-40 mph with violent gusts that may persist for 2-3 hours before easing. Winds will remain strong with the broader yellow warning in force until Friday morning."
Where will be worst affected by Storm Goretti?
Yellow weather warnings have been issued in Northern Ireland, with the public advised to be wary of ice and freezing rain.
Wales, Oxford, Nottingham and the Peak District also have yellow warnings in place with heavy snowfall predicted in these areas, particularly in higher spots.
Cornwall is also under a yellow warning, with strong winds expected to reach 80-90mph.
How long will Storm Goretti last
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the cold snap is expected to last until this weekend, while an amber cold health alert is in place until 11 January.
Many of the weather warnings are in place until this evening or tomorrow morning, with the 'danger-to-life' alarm set to end at 11pm this evening.
Disruptions to public transport
Storm Goretti is already causing transport disruption in the worst-affected areas, with National Rail announcing that train services in the south-west will be affected.
All trains in Cornwall have been cancelled from 6pm this evening (8 Jan) until tomorrow morning, and 'replacement road transport will not be available as road conditions are expected to be at risk,' Northern said in a statement.
"There will be challenging conditions through this evening and tomorrow on parts of the network owing to Storm Goretti, and we’ll be doing all we can alongside our train operator colleagues to keep passengers moving safely throughout," Northern said, as per the BBC.
"If you’re planning to travel this evening or tomorrow, please make sure you check your journey beforehand by visiting your train operator’s website or National Rail."
At the other end of the UK, ScotRail has cancelled all trains to and from Wick until all the tracks are cleared of snow, and over in Wales, trains are cancelled between Ebbw Vale Town and Maesteg, Cardiff Central and Newport for the rest of the day.
Several more disruptions are reported in England, including a reduced service from CrossCountry and the East Midlands Railway closing the Hope of Valley between Sheffield and Manchester.
Road closures
A number of road closures have already been confirmed in England, with the National Highways Yorkshire announcing the closure of the A628 Woodhead Pass in both directions, where an amber alert has been issued.
Meanwhile, the A57 in Hollingworth, Tameside, and the A616 in Flouch, South Yorkshire will also be shut to motorists.
Derbyshire County Council has announced five key roads within the Peak District that will close from 6pm, including the A6013 from Glossop, the A54/A537 from Buxton and the A6024 from the Yorkshire border.
In addition to strong winds, the main concern in these areas is strong snowfall, which could make driving conditions very poor.
Emma Rosemurgey