Met Office issues rare red warning ahead of hurricane force winds

The Met Office has issued a rare red weather alert due to extreme winds brought by Storm Goretti.

The forecaster warned of ‘dangerous, stormy winds’ of up to 100mph which are expected to increase rapidly, with a risk to life from flying debris.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have the warning in place from 4pm until 11pm.

People can expect roofs to be blown off, flying debris and ‘very large waves’ battering coastal roads and seafronts.

Power lines could come down, roads and bridges are expected to close and public transport is likely to be delayed.

Red weather warnings are the most severe possible and are only imposed in exceptional circumstances.

The last time the Met Office issued a red alert was January last year during Storm Éowyn for the central belt of Scotland.

There was also one issued for south-west England and south-west Wales during Storm Darragh in December 2024.

The Met Office has said: ‘Storm Goretti will bring a period of exceptionally strong northwesterly winds to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall on Thursday evening, with peak gusts of 80-100 mph or more in exposed areas.

‘Winds are expected to increase rapidly from 30-40 mph with violent gusts that may persist for 2-3 hours before easing. Winds will remain strong with the broader yellow warning in force until Friday morning.

‘In addition, very large waves will bring dangerous conditions to some coastal areas.’

The Met Office has advised residents to avoid travelling by road while conditions are at their worst.

People have been told to check for loose items outside their homes and gather emergency items you might need during a power cut.

Storm Goretti is expected to bring wintry weather to much of the UK today with amber and yellow weather warnings issued elsewhere.

As much as 30cm of snow could fall in the Midlands, in what’s being dubbed a belated white Christmas.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said the storm will bring ‘wet, windy and wintry weather’ after a days-long cold snap.

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