If traveling into, out of, or around London feels a little more arduous than usual over the next couple of days, you probably have Storm Goretti to thank. And just as every storm arrives with a fresh name, the first storm of 2026 has come with its own new set of weather warnings and travel restrictions – some of which might affect Londoners.
Storm Goretti Met Office weather warning update
The Met Office has described Goretti as a ‘multi-hazard event’, meaning heavy rain, extremely strong winds, and even snow can be expected across the UK. Whilst the UKHSA amber cold weather health alerts remain in place for the whole of England until January 11, London itself has not been issued an official weather warning. In fact, compared to other parts of the UK, the capital is likely to come out of Storm Goretti relatively unscathed as far as extreme weather and travel restrictions are concerned. However, it is expected that we’re in for a particularly wet and windy (to put it mildly) couple of days.
What travel will be affected by Storm Goretti?
National Rail has already reported a number of disruptions and delays across the country’s railway lines, including Great Western Railway, South Western Railway, and London Northwestern Railway. London Northwestern Railway has urged people to travel only if absolutely necessary, advising passengers to check before travel on services in and out of London as many routes are operating on a reduced time table. It’s also worth noting that rail replacement services are not currently running due to difficult road conditions.
What’s more, Goretti’s strong winds are causing flight cancellations and delays across the UK. If you’re travelling from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted or any other London airport, it’s worth checking your flight status before setting off. With conditions changing quickly, staying up to date with the latest travel advice is your safest bet.