Severe winds and heavy snowfall have battered large parts of Northern Europe, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without electricity and disrupting daily life across multiple countries. The extreme weather event, named Storm Goretti, struck France, the UK, and Germany on Friday amid freezing temperatures.
France and the UK Hit Hard
In France, energy distributor Enedis reported that around 380,000 households were without power, mainly in northern Normandy. Meteorologists recorded winds exceeding 216 km/h in Manche during the night, toppling trees and causing property damage, though no injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, in the UK, gusts reached up to 160 km/h, with large coastal waves creating dangerous conditions. The UK Met Office issued red alerts for wind—the highest level of danger—for the Scilly Isles and Cornwall, and orange warnings for snow in Wales, central, and northern England, predicting up to 30 cm of snow in some areas.
The British rail network warned of disruptions over the next two days, urging citizens to avoid travel unless necessary.
Schools, Transport, and Safety Measures
- Schools in northern France and several other regions were closed due to extreme weather warnings.
- Authorities in Manche advised residents to stay indoors, stock up on water, and ensure emergency lighting is available.
- In Germany, northern regions may see up to 15 cm of snow, while southern areas face frost hazards. Cities like Hamburg and Bremen have closed schools, and Deutsche Bahn mobilized over 14,000 workers to clear snow from rail lines and platforms.
Human and Climatic Impact
The extreme weather has already caused at least eight fatalities in Europe, with severe flooding also reported in the Balkans. In Albania, police recovered the body of a man in Durrës after flash floods, while in Kosovo, floods caused property damage but no reported deaths.
Meteorologist Walter noted that this storm is unusual compared to recent milder winters and is a direct consequence of climate change, warning that cold and snowy conditions could persist for the remainder of the month.
Key Takeaways
- Extreme winds, snow, and low temperatures affecting France, the UK, and Germany
- Hundreds of thousands left without power
- Travel, schools, and public transport disrupted
- Climate change contributes to increasing frequency of severe storms
