More school closures likely as Storm Goretti brings MORE snow and ice this week
Hundreds of schools are already shut and more closures are expected as Storm Goretti brings further snow and ice.
Parents across the UK are being warned to prepare for further school closures this week as Storm Goretti brings another round of snow, ice and freezing temperatures.
Hundreds of schools were already closed on Tuesday after the coldest night of the winter so far, and forecasters say more disruption is likely as fresh Met Office warnings come into force. With wintry weather expected to last several days, many families could face last-minute childcare changes and difficult school runs.
Hundreds of schools already closed
Snow and icy conditions forced widespread school closures across the UK on Tuesday.
In total, 384 schools were shut in Wales, at least 320 in Scotland, 186 in Northern Ireland and more than 100 in England. The closures followed the UK’s coldest night of the winter so far, with temperatures dropping to -12.5C in Marham, Norfolk.
Local authorities said conditions on roads and pavements made it unsafe for pupils and staff to travel, particularly in rural areas and higher ground.
Why more closures are expected
The Met Office has issued a yellow ice warning for almost the entire UK on Wednesday, raising concerns about unsafe travel during the morning school run.
Snow warnings are also in place for parts of England and Wales on Thursday and Friday, driven by Storm Goretti, which has been named as the first storm of the year by French forecasters.
Parts of northern Scotland remain under an amber snow warning until 19:00 GMT on Tuesday, with between 5cm and 10cm widely forecast. The amber warning indicates a higher risk of travel disruption, power cuts and potential risk to life and property.
Forecasters say that even where snow falls are lighter, freezing temperatures overnight could lead to widespread ice on untreated roads and pavements.
Travel disruption affecting school journeys
Ongoing disruption to transport networks is also likely to affect families getting children to school.
London North Eastern Railway has advised people not to travel between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, saying there was “major disruption” across its network. National Rail warned of short-notice delays, cancellations and overcrowding on services in northern Scotland.
Road conditions have also been affected, with several main roads blocked in Wales and ferry services disrupted on Scotland’s west coast. Snow fell as far south as central London on Tuesday afternoon, showing how widespread the cold snap has become.
What Storm Goretti could bring later this week
Further disruption is expected from Thursday onwards as Storm Goretti moves closer to the UK.
A yellow wind warning has been issued for south west England on Thursday afternoon and evening, with gusts of 50 to 60mph and up to 70mph along exposed coasts.
Later on Thursday night, heavy rain is forecast to move north from the south and turn to snow as it meets colder air. Up to 20cm of snow could fall in parts of England and Wales overnight into Friday.
The yellow snow warning runs from 18:00 on Thursday until 12:00 on Friday, covering central and southern England and Wales, which could directly impact Friday school openings.
Cold health alerts and support for families
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold health alerts for England, running until Sunday. These alerts highlight increased risks for vulnerable groups, including young children.
Cold weather payments have also been triggered across 451 postcodes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Eligible households receive £25 automatically if temperatures are recorded or forecast to stay at 0C or below for seven consecutive days.
What parents can do now
Parents are being advised to check school communication channels regularly, as closures may be announced early in the morning depending on overnight conditions.
Allowing extra time for journeys, preparing for remote learning where offered and ensuring children have warm clothing and suitable footwear may help ease the disruption over the coming days.
The Met Office continues to urge families to stay up to date with the latest weather warnings as Storm Goretti brings ongoing wintry conditions across the UK.
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