Storm Goretti: Rotherham braces for snowy weather

The Met Office – the UK's national meteorological service – say the UK’s cold weather will continue with a deep area of low pressure bringing further snow, strong winds and heavy rain, with Amber warnings issued, as well as wider Yellow warnings. Currently Rotherham has a Yellow warning.

The strongest winds associated with this system are expected to affect the Channel Islands and northern France, hence it has been named Storm Goretti by Météo-France.

It is hoped Rotherham will escape the worst of the weather with the largest snowfalls most likely to be across Wales and parts of the Midlands, where a further Amber warning has been issued.

Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands, though rain and strong winds also have the potential to bring disruption to many.

“Goretti will bring snow on its northern edge, this most likely over Wales and the Midlands. Here accumulations of 5-10 cm are likely widely, with 15-25 cm in some places, especially hills, and perhaps up to 30 cm very locally.

An Amber warning has been issued where the greatest risk of disruption is likely on Thursday night into Friday morning, though updates may be required as confidence increases in the exact track of Storm Goretti.”

Businesses, schools and colleges have already started to put plans in place for potential disruption into Thursday evening and Friday.

Thomas Rotherham College has announced it will close the college at 3pm today to allow students and staff to travel home safely and will switch to online learning for Friday.

Northern Powergrid has also issued the following guidance in case of a power cut.

Power cut advice and tips include:

• Bookmark Northern Powergrid’s online power cut map and reporting service on your mobile devices – www.northernpowergrid.com/power-cuts
• Have a charged mobile phone with important numbers saved, including 105 the free national power cut phone line.
• Take a look at our new ‘Unplanned Power Cuts’ video
• Learn more about why your power may go off with the videos on this page: www.northernpowergrid.com/be-prepared
• Turn off electrical appliances at the socket (this is particularly important for heating or cooking appliances as your power could be restored at any time and potentially cause a safety hazard)
• Keep one light switched on so you know when your power is restored
• Keep a battery or wind-up torch handy – they’re much safer than candles
• Check on your elderly or sick neighbours and relatives
• Ensure you have warm clothing and blankets handy and some food and drink in your home that does not require electricity to heat or prepare it
• Only call 999 in the event of an emergency.
• If you spot fallen trees or damage to our overhead cables, stay well clear and call 105 immediately.

To find out more about Northern Powergrid’s free Priority Services Membership and how to join visit northernpowergrid.com/care, email [email protected] or call 0800 169 2996.