The West Midlands is braced for significant disruption as Storm Goretti intensifies, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning for snow. The alert, which warns of heavy snowfall, dangerous conditions, and severe travel delays, is now in force.
Hour-by-Hour Forecast for Birmingham
The warning covers Birmingham and surrounding areas from 8pm on Thursday 8 January until 9am on Friday 9 January. Forecasters state that rain will rapidly turn to snow as colder air sweeps in, with 10 to 15 centimetres likely to accumulate widely. On higher ground, totals could reach a staggering 20 to 30 centimetres.
Here is the expected timeline for Birmingham and the West Midlands:
- Thursday afternoon (3pm–6pm): Mostly rain initially, with sleet possible later. Snow risk is low but increasing.
- Early evening (6pm–8pm): Rain turns to sleet and wet snow, especially on higher routes. Roads may become slippery.
- Evening (8pm–11pm): Snow becomes increasingly likely across the city. Accumulations will start to form on untreated surfaces.
- Overnight (11pm–6am): This period carries the highest risk. Persistent snow is expected, with moderate to heavy bursts. By dawn, 10–15cm of snow is possible.
- Friday morning (6am–9am): Snow will gradually ease, but icy conditions on roads and pavements are expected, with further wintry showers.
Major Travel Disruption Expected
The storm's impact on transport networks is already being felt. Major rail operators, including West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway, have confirmed that services will be reduced from 7pm on Thursday. Passengers are being strongly advised to travel only if absolutely necessary and to complete journeys by early evening.
Network Rail has warned that reduced timetables will affect routes across the West Midlands and neighbouring regions, with further disruption likely overnight. On the roads, National Highways has issued an amber severe weather alert for the West and East Midlands, cautioning that snow could create hazardous driving conditions from 6pm Thursday through to Friday morning.
Public Urged to Prepare and Take Care
Authorities are urging the public to avoid all unnecessary travel. For those who must make essential journeys, they recommend checking transport updates before setting out and allowing considerable extra time.
Drivers should prepare for poor visibility, icy roads, and lengthy delays. Pedestrians are warned to take extreme care on slippery pavements. While conditions are forecast to improve later on Friday morning, disruption is likely to continue throughout the day as services recover and snow is cleared.
