Red warning for wind issued for Cornwall as Storm Goretti hits the UK
The warning is in place from 4pm -11pm today (January 8)
Last updated 8th Jan 2026
A rare red warning for "exceptionally strong" winds has been issued by the Met Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The warning says Storm Goretti will bring "exceptionally strong northwesterly winds" and peak gusts are expected to be between 80-100mph.
The Met Office is warning there is a risk of life from flying debris caused by the winds.
Very large waves, power cuts, public transport cancellations and damage to buildings and homes are also expected.
The warning is in place from 4pm -11pm today (January 8).
The Cabinet Office said it was issuing two emergency alerts to the phones of those in affected areas, with around half a million people expected to receive one.
The first was sent at about 3pm on Thursday to people in the Isles of Scilly, and the second at approximately 5pm on Thursday to people in Cornwall, the Cabinet Office said.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "The emergency alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the impacted areas, containing information about the red warning and guidance on how to stay safe.
"Compatible mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds."
Dozens of schools in Cornwall closed early on Thursday afternoon as the storm approached.
Network Rail said all trains in Cornwall would be suspended from 6pm on Thursday.
In Devon, trains on the Exeter-Okehampton and Exeter-Barnstaple routes will be suspended from the same time because of forecast high-wind speeds.
Passengers are advised to travel earlier and not to attempt travel late this afternoon.
Services on affected routes are expected to be disrupted on Friday morning.
Replacement road transport will not be available as road conditions are also expected to be affected by the weather.
The storm, named by French weather forecaster Meteo France, has been described as a "multi-hazard event" by the Met Office, with as much of 30cm of snow possible for parts of the UK.
Weather warnings have been issued for snow, wind, rain and ice across the country ahead of likely "disruption and dangerous travelling conditions".