UK Shivers as Power Outages and Icy Conditions Prevail Amid Goretti Storm
With the recent onslaught of severe weather conditions, much of the United Kingdom is grappling with intense cold, ice, and power outages. A considerable number of households have been plunged into darkness with no electricity.
Aftermath of the Storm
The storm, known as Goretti, has wreaked havoc across the UK, blanketing regions with heavy snow and forceful winds. Even more concerning is the forecast for continued harsh weather. A tragic incident occurred when a man lost his life after a tree crushed a caravan in Cornwall. The region was under a rare red alert for intense winds during the time.
A whopping figure of over 34,000 households in South West are still without power, with thousands more in the Midlands and Wales. Power restoration efforts are ongoing, with close to 170,000 households having their power supply reinstated. However, a significant number of households in the West Midlands, East Midlands, and Wales are still in the dark.
The local representative for St Austell and Newquay, Noah Law, used social media to warn residents in mid Cornwall of potential electricity disruptions until the end of the weekend.
Weather Warnings and Forecasts
Yellow weather alerts for snow and ice have been issued for most of the UK, expected to last until Saturday afternoon. Scotland has received an amber warning for snow, indicating severe weather on Sunday.
In Cornwall, officials describe the storm as one of the most intense in recent memory. Emergency crews are working non-stop to clear fallen trees and conduct urgent repairs. One resident, a 17-year-old named Tia White, described how the storm had ripped off the roof and chimney of her family home.
A significant loss was also noted on St Michael's Mount, an island near Penzance, where nearly 80% of its trees were uprooted during the storm.
Weather Outlook for the Weekend
The UK witnessed bone-chilling temperatures as low as -8.1C in Loch Glascarnoch, Scotland, and -7C in Katesbridge, Northern Ireland. The cold snap is expected to break by Sunday as low pressure brings in wet, windy, and comparatively milder weather. While some regions may see a brief period of snow, it is expected to turn to rain shortly after.
The snow will persist longest in the north-eastern regions, especially over high ground, causing some disruption. By afternoon, the south west is forecasted to warm up to around 12C (53.6F), while the north east will continue to experience colder conditions.
By Monday, milder weather is expected to spread across the entire UK, bringing much-needed relief from the severe cold.