The UK was pummelled by Storm Goretti overnight, which brought heavy snow and plunging temperatures. Tens of thousands of homes have been left without power.
The conditions have crippled public transport. Airports and rail operators took precautions, with closures and widespread cancellations coming into effect yesterday evening.
The disruption continues today as fresh weather warnings of snow and ice have been issued across the country.
Channel Island airports close for Storm Goretti
Both Jersey and Guernsey, islands in the Channel, closed their airports yesterday evening.
Some morning flights were cancelled today, but operations look to return to normal this afternoon.
At Heathrow Airport, at least 69 flights scheduled to operate on Friday have been cancelled, according to the PA news agency.
This is likely to have disrupted more than 9,000 passengers, it says.
Those scrapped include British Airways’ short-haul services to Frankfurt and Munich, as well as an American Airlines flight to Chicago, a United Airlines flight to New York City, and an Air Canada flight to Ottawa.
Birmingham Airport has also been affected, with a message on its website stating that the runway is operating a reduced service.
“Passengers due to travel should contact their airline regarding the status of flights,” it says.
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, grounded flights to Orkney, Shetland and Lewis in Scotland, as well as the Channel Islands yesterday.
The carrier is offering passengers the option to rebook without charge.
“You can choose to re-book on an alternative flight up to 14 days from your original travel date. There will be no change fee or difference in fare payable. If a seat is available on an alternative flight, you can transfer your booking to that flight,” it said.
Trains cancelled and delayed across the UK
Rail services have been significantly impacted by heavy snowfall, wind and rain.
Network Rail has urged passengers in the West Midlands not to travel on the railway this morning following significant disruption.
“Train services today (Friday 9 January) are extremely limited as a result of the weather conditions and many routes are closed,” the operator warns.
The East Midlands Railway network has halted trains on the line between Sheffield and Manchester until the start of service on Saturday.
“This decision has been made to reduce the risk of trains becoming stranded during severe weather,” the company says.
“Customers are advised to check before they travel. Please be aware that across the network, trains that do run may be delayed, cancelled or altered at late notice due to the severe weather.”
Avanti West Coast has issued a ‘do not travel’ advice until 1pm GMT today on Midlands routes due to heavy snowfall impacting the West Coast Main Line.
The operator will be running an amended timetable across all routes from 7am until 3pm, at which time it aims to resume normal service.
“We strongly recommend travelling outside of these times if possible,” it says. “If you have an Avanti West Coast ticket dated Thursday 8 or Friday 9 January, you can use it to travel on the same route on any date up to and including Monday 12 January, at no extra cost.”
Travellers have been advised not to use rail services in Birmingham and the surrounding areas until at least midday today. Some lines in the region may remain closed until Saturday.
There is severe disruption to services in Wales and no trains are running in Cornwall until midday on Friday.
Winds also buffeted northern France overnight and this morning.
Several train services were suspended last night, with operators saying they hope to resume operations in the early afternoon today.
Train routes in Normandy, Brittany, Hauts-de-France, and Île-de-France continue to face cancellations and delays, with travellers asked to check schedules before heading to stations.
Ferries opt for early sailing or cancellation
Ferries are also being affected by the powerful winds. Some Dover-Calais services have been cancelled today.
Irish Ferries has brought forward sailings between Holyhead and Dublin today, as well as on Saturday and Sunday.
Brittany Ferries has cancelled or rescheduled some sailings, including between Rosslare and Cherbourg, Rosslare and Bilbao, and Santander and Portsmouth.
The company says it will contact affected passengers via SMS or email with the most up-to-date information.
Northlink, which operates ferries between mainland Scotland and Orkney and Shetland, warns of “the possibility of disruption to our services from Friday 9 January 2026 through to Monday 12 January 2026”.
