Wednesday, 6 January 2026 — Storm Goretti has triggered a nationwide wave of school closures, travel disruption and public safety warnings across the United Kingdom as snow, freezing rain and Arctic air sweep through England, Scotland and Wales. More than 1,000 schools were closed by early morning, with councils suspending transport services and declaring roads and pavements unsafe. Yellow and amber Met Office weather warnings for snow, ice and strong winds remain in force through Thursday and Friday. The WP Times reports this, citing official Met Office alerts and regional council and education authority bulletins.

Scotland: snow and ice force widespread shutdowns

Scotland remains the epicentre of the disruption. In Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands, overnight snowfall combined with strong winds has blocked rural roads and made school transport impossible. Several councils in these areas have closed most or all schools for the day.

In parts of the Central Belt, including Falkirk, Stirling and West Lothian, the main danger is not deep snow but ice. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles have left pavements, car parks and school entrances dangerously slippery, forcing headteachers to shut sites for safety reasons.

Sports and community facilities have also been affected, with frozen pitches leading to the cancellation of football matches and training sessions.

Northern England: ice under snow creates hidden danger

In Northumberland, County Durham and Cumbria, schools have closed after light but persistent snow settled on top of already frozen ground, creating a concealed layer of ice. Rural bus routes have been suspended in several areas, making it impossible for pupils to travel safely.

Parts of Lancashire and North Yorkshire are also affected, particularly in exposed and hilly locations. In Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire, some schools remain open but many have delayed opening times or partial closures due to staff shortages and unsafe school grounds.

Wales: upland communities hardest hit

In north Wales, especially Gwynedd and Conwy, drifting snow in upland areas and along coastal roads has forced multiple schools to close. In Powys and mid-Wales, freezing rain overnight has turned roads and pavements into sheets of ice, leading councils to shut selected schools even where snowfall has been lighter.

Why Storm Goretti is so disruptive

Storm Goretti is driving cold Arctic air into the UK while pulling in moist Atlantic systems. This creates snow followed by freezing rain — one of the most dangerous winter weather combinations. Rain that falls on frozen ground instantly turns into ice, which is harder to detect and far more slippery than fresh snow.

Because of this, even small amounts of precipitation can cause widespread closures, particularly in areas with hills, rural roads and limited gritting coverage.

What families should do now

With school closures and dangerous travel conditions continuing, families are being urged to rely only on official local updates rather than social media rumours. Parents can check the status of their child’s school through:

  • their local council website
  • the school’s official website or social media pages
  • council school closure hotlines where available

If transport is affected, up-to-date travel information is available from:

  • National Rail Enquiries for trains
  • local bus operators and council transport pages
  • Traffic England and Traffic Scotland for road conditions

Households facing heating problems, power cuts or unsafe conditions can contact their local council emergency or housing teams, which coordinate support during severe weather, including welfare checks for vulnerable residents.

Anyone concerned about health risks linked to the cold — such as breathing difficulties, chest pain or worsening asthma — is advised to use NHS 111 for urgent guidance, or 999 in a medical emergency. Local authorities say they are prioritising gritting routes to hospitals, care homes and main transport corridors, but many residential streets will remain icy for several days. As Storm Goretti continues to grip the country, today’s school closures and transport disruption underline how critical official updates, local support services and community coordination are during extreme winter weather.

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