Storm Goretti is likely to cause disruption and difficult travelling conditions in Oxfordshire as the UK braces for a 'weather bomb'.
A yellow snow weather warning covering the county is in place from 5pm today (Thursday, January 8) until 12pm tomorrow (Friday, January 9).
The Met Office says Storm Goretti is likely to bring heavy snow, leading to disruption.
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⚠️WEATHER WARNING
There is a Yellow Warning for Snow issued by @metoffice in effect from 5PM today until 12PM Friday.
For more information on the affected areas, visit:https://t.co/Gx0YiYCgYv
For helpful tips on driving safely in ice:https://t.co/DeDZbeXZLy#OxonTravel pic.twitter.com/KeIvst5wiF— OxonTravel (@OxonTravel) January 8, 2026
In Oxfordshire, there will be possible travel delays, as well as possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel, the forecaster has warned.
Meanwhile, an amber warning for snow runs from 8pm today until 9am on Friday covering parts of Wales, the Midlands and South Yorkshire.
Some school children in the county were sent home early ahead of the storm.
Pupils at Frank Wise School in Banbury were told they will leave the site and go home at 1.30pm on Thursday, January 8.
A notice from the school said: "Frank Wise School is closing at 1.30pm in order to ensure that all children are able to get home safely ahead of the expected snow."
According to the BBC's weather channel, sleet is expected to fall in the afternoon and temperatures are only just going to hover above freezing.
The BBC reports that the storm is set to bring a 'weather bomb' to the UK.
Also known as explosive cyclogenesis, a weather bomb is caused when the central pressure in an area of low pressure falls rapidly.
The pressure has to fall by 24 millibars in 24 hours to qualify.
According to the BBC, Storm Goretti will see a pressure drop of 36 millibars in the 24 hours from 6pm on Wednesday to 6pm on Thursday.
The Met Office said winds during a weather bomb can be “strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage”.
READ MORE: Snow weather warning issued for Oxfordshire as UK braces for ‘weather bomb’
Met Office chief forecaster Neil Armstrong said: “Storm Goretti will be a multi-hazard event, with the most significant impacts from snow in parts of Wales and the Midlands and the very strong winds in the far South West, though heavy rain in some parts of Wales and East Anglia also has the potential to bring disruption to many.
“Goretti will bring snow on its northern edge, this most likely over Wales and the Midlands.
"Here accumulations of 10-15cm are likely widely, with 20-30cm possible in some places, especially higher ground in Wales and the Peak District.
“An amber warning has been issued where the greatest risk of disruption is likely on Thursday night into Friday morning.
“This is a complex spell of severe weather and I’d advise people in the warning areas to keep up to date with the forecast and messages from local authorities.”
