Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Swipe for next article
Drivers warned about black ice on roads amid multiple weather warnings across the country this week
Removed from bookmarks
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Amber “danger to life” weather warnings have been issued for parts of the UK on Thursday as Storm Goretti is set to bring heavy snowfall, ice and winds.
The Met Office has put in place an amber wind warning for gusts of 80 to 90mph in Cornwall on Thursday night, with large waves and debris causing a potential “danger to life”. Then, an amber snow warning on Thursday night and into Friday morning could bring up to 30cm of snow in Wales and the Peak District.
Four yellow weather warnings for snow and ice will cover other parts of the UK, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Midlands. Two more yellow alerts for rain are in place in eastern England and Wales, and another for wind in the South West, bringing the total number of alerts across the country on Thursday to nine.
Meanwhile, icy weather on Wednesday has caused travel disruption. A bus in Kent slipped off the road into a ditch, while a school coach full of children crashed into a bus in Reading due to black ice.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service has warned: “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.”
A 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.
The 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’.
The 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.
A “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.”
Storm 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.”
Alice 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.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

source