Storm Goretti swept through northern Europe, cutting power to roughly 380,000 homes in France and about 65,000 in the UK while producing gusts over 200 km/h in parts of France. Authorities issued rare red wind warnings, amber snow alerts for parts of Britain and forecasts of up to 15 cm of snow in northern Germany. Transport, schools and services have been disrupted and at least eight deaths are linked to the extreme weather. The storm is expected to ease by Monday, though temperatures could fall to around -20°C in some areas.
Storm Goretti Knashes Northern Europe: Hundreds Of Thousands Lose Power, Travel Disrupted
Both France and Britain have braced for winds of up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour (Fred TANNEAU)(Fred TANNEAU/AFP/AFP)
Fierce winds and heavy snowfall from Storm Goretti swept across northern Europe, cutting electricity to hundreds of thousands of households and triggering severe weather warnings from the UK to Germany.
Widespread Power Outages And Damage
France's network operator Enedis reported about 380,000 households without power, mainly in Normandy, while the BBC said roughly 65,000 homes were affected in the United Kingdom. In Manche in northwestern France, authorities recorded wind gusts of 216 km/h and 213 km/h overnight. Squalls uprooted trees across multiple regions; at least one tree fell on residential buildings in Seine-Maritime, with no reported injuries.
Warnings, Snow And Coastal Danger
The UK's Met Office issued a rare red wind alert for the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall and warned of gusts up to 160 km/h in other areas. It cautioned that very large waves will create dangerous coastal conditions. An amber snow warning covers Wales, central England and parts of northern England, with accumulations of up to 30 cm in places.
Transport, Schools And Services Hit
National rail operators warned of major disruption. The UK's National Rail urged people to avoid travel unless necessary, and Deutsche Bahn in Germany warned of significant delays while mobilising more than 14,000 staff to clear snow from tracks and stations. Schools were closed across northern France and in several German cities including Hamburg and Bremen. Public transport in Hamburg already experienced cancellations and delays.
Human Cost And Climate Context
At least eight fatalities have been linked to the extreme weather across Europe. In Albania, police recovered a man's body from floodwaters in Durres after heavy snow and rain across the Balkans. DWD meteorologist Andreas Walter said the storm is unusual compared with the recent run of milder winters, calling it a consequence of climate change while noting that cold, snowy episodes can still occur even as average temperatures rise.
Outlook
Germany's weather service (DWD) forecast snowfall of up to 15 cm in northern areas and warned of icy conditions in the south. Temperatures could plunge to around -20°C in some spots this weekend. The DWD expected the core of the storm to last through Saturday with snowfall easing by Monday. Authorities across affected countries urged residents to stay indoors, prepare emergency lighting and drinking water, and follow local guidance.
Advice: If you are in an affected area, stay inside, avoid non-essential travel, secure loose outdoor items and follow updates from local emergency services and meteorological agencies.
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