Storm Goretti caused widespread power outages, travel delays, and several fatalities across northern France, southern England, and Central and Eastern Europe.
Overnight, the low-pressure system, named Storm Goretti, affected the Isles of Scilly, recording wind gusts up to 99 mph (159 kph). Local officials reported blocked roads, unstable buildings, and power and water outages.
More than 57,000 homes and businesses across southwestern England, the Midlands, and Wales experienced power loss, according to National Grid. As the storm moved across the United Kingdom, it interacted with Arctic air, leading to snow in northern areas and heavy rain in the south.
Northern Scotland, already contending with over a half-meter (around 20 inches) of snow earlier in the week, saw more than 250 schools closed, some for a fifth consecutive day. National Rail advised U.K. travelers to check services due to disruptions. Birmingham Airport briefly closed but reopened with reduced runway operations.
The Met Office, Britain's national weather service, issued a rare red weather warning for southwestern England on Thursday evening, indicating a high likelihood of life-threatening conditions.
In northwestern France, Storm Goretti brought strong winds, with a gust of up to 213 kph (132 mph) recorded in Gatteville-le-Phare in Normandy. Around 320,000 homes remained without power by midday, down from 380,000 earlier, mainly in the Normandy region. Regional train services were suspended.
A cold spell also affected Central and Eastern Europe, with temperatures dropping to double-digit negatives at night. Heavy snowfall in Prague and western Czech Republic caused traffic disruptions, flight delays and cancellations at Prague Vaclav Havel Airport, and blocked highways. Public transportation in Prague also experienced standstills.
In Germany, rail operator Deutsche Bahn halted long-distance service in the north. Many roads and rail connections were affected by high winds and snow. Public bus transportation was canceled in several regions, and some schools closed.
Tragically, two people died in Bavaria in a head-on collision, suspected to be caused by winter weather. Another driver was killed in Upper Palatinate after veering off the road and hitting a tree. Ferry services on the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony were largely suspended due to strong easterly winds, making several islands inaccessible.
Additionally, Leipzig's soccer game against Hamburg's St. Pauli in the German Bundesliga on Saturday was called off due to heavy snow and difficulties clearing the stadium roof.