The Met Office has taken the significant step of issuing a rare amber weather warning for snow across the West Midlands, as the region braces for the arrival of Storm Goretti. The storm is forecast to bring potentially disruptive heavy snowfall starting from Thursday evening.
Timeline of the Severe Weather
An amber warning for snow will cover Birmingham from 8pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, until 9am on Friday, January 9. A broader yellow warning for snow and ice is already scheduled for much of central England and Wales, coming into effect from 5pm on Thursday.
Forecasters indicate that rain associated with the incoming storm system will begin to turn to snow from around 5pm this evening. This transition will start on higher ground before spreading to lower levels overnight. The snow is then expected to ease throughout Friday morning, potentially turning back to rain or sleet in some areas.
Potential Snowfall Accumulations
The Met Office has warned that accumulations of 10-15cm are likely to be seen fairly widely across the region. There is a potential for more extreme totals of 20-30cm in some locations, particularly on hills above 200 metres in elevation. Areas such as Wales and the Peak District are highlighted as being most at risk of these higher accumulations.
In its latest update, the Met Office stated: "Rain associated with Storm Goretti will turn readily to heavy snow on Thursday evening, initially on hills and then to lower levels overnight, before easing through the course of Friday morning. Disruption is likely to persist into Friday after snow stops falling."
Uncertainty and Wider Impact
The weather service has noted some uncertainty regarding the exact track of Storm Goretti, which will ultimately determine which areas see the most severe conditions. The warning may be updated as the situation develops. The low-pressure system was named by Meteo France, as the strongest winds linked to Storm Goretti are predicted to affect northern France.
Residents across the West Midlands are advised to prepare for significant travel disruption, potential power cuts, and the possibility that rural communities could become cut off. The public is urged to check the latest forecasts and travel advice before making any journeys during the warning period.
