The Storm Goretti Snow Update: A Mixed Bag for Yorkshire
As Storm Goretti sweeps across Yorkshire, the county is experiencing a varied impact, with some areas enjoying a winter wonderland and others barely seeing a flake. Let's dive into the details and uncover the fascinating story behind this snowstorm.
- Gritters Keep the Main Roads Moving
Gritters have been working tirelessly through the night in Sheffield, ensuring the main roads remain passable. Councillor Joe Otten, in charge of the street scene committee, confirms that priority routes, including those connecting Sheffield to other cities and vital public services, have been covered. Otten adds, "They're still at it, and they'll likely head out again to tackle the higher routes in the morning, weather permitting."
While traffic is moving slowly, Otten emphasizes that most people can get around, but caution is advised.
- School Closures and Delayed Openings
The snow has caused some schools in Sheffield to close their doors, while others have opted for later openings. Westfield School, for instance, has shut due to adverse weather, keeping parents updated via email and text. Meanwhile, King Edward VII School in Broomhall and Silverdale School have delayed their openings.
- Bradford's Commuters: A Lucky Escape?
David Spereall, reporting from BBC Yorkshire, highlights that Bradford has dodged the worst of the snow. He shares a photo of a beautifully green train display board from Northern rail, indicating minimal snow disruption.
- Ice Cream Sales Soar in the Snow!
In the Yorkshire Dales, Lisa Bowerman from Stump Cross Caverns reports no snow at the underground cave attraction, despite being on higher ground. She reveals that visitors often make special trips during snowstorms, and ice cream sales skyrocket! It seems the snow brings a unique appeal to the area.
- Slaithwaite's Light Dusting
Charles Heslett, reporting from Kirklees, describes Storm Goretti's arrival in Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, around 21:30 last night. A gritter with a snowplough was quickly deployed, and flurries continued throughout the night. By 07:30, a light blanket of snow covered higher areas, but thanks to the gritter's early morning pass, the roads remained usable. Temperatures felt warmer than last week's icy chill, but pedestrians should beware of slippery pavements.
- Public Transport Disruptions
The snow has caused travel disruptions across South Yorkshire. Travel South Yorkshire has tweeted about disrupted bus routes in Rotherham and Sheffield. For a full list of affected services, check out their website.
- Snow Shovels in Action in Sheffield
Simon Thake, reporting from Sheffield, shares a positive update. The team at St James Retail Park has expertly cleared snow, creating plenty of parking spaces. Traffic is flowing freely on Jordanthorpe Parkway, but some bus services have been disrupted. Side roads without gritting are proving challenging, with a few cars zigzagging through.
- Katerina's Weather Update
Katerina provides a timely forecast, emphasizing the unpredictability of snow. She suggests that any snow on Sunday might arrive earlier, possibly in the afternoon. Stay tuned and stay safe!
- Lorry Crash on the M1
Jude Winter, reporting from BBC East Midlands, shares an update on a lorry crash on the M1 northbound between Junction 28 and 29. National Highways reports three closed lanes and ongoing recovery efforts. The incident has caused delays of up to 30 minutes and four miles of congestion.
- Harrogate: Snow-Free Zone?
Seb Cheer, reporting from Harrogate, notes the absence of snow despite yellow weather warnings. The Stray, a popular snowman-building spot, remains untouched by the storm. Runners and dog walkers continue their routines, with only a few frozen puddles reminding them of winter.
- Buses Stranded in Meresbrook
BBC Radio York's Peter Spencer captures a snowy scene in Meresbrook, where winter weather caused buses to struggle and cars to be abandoned.
- Mixed Snow Conditions Across South Yorkshire
Met Office warnings remain in place, but the snow picture varies across South Yorkshire. Higher ground, like parts of north Sheffield, has seen the brunt of the downfall. BBC Radio Sheffield's Simon Thake reports several inches of snow in Meadowhead, causing disruptions for those heading into the city center. Meanwhile, Doncaster breathes a sigh of relief, as the lack of snow allows for a normal morning routine.
- West Yorkshire: Mostly Clear
West Yorkshire has experienced some snow, but overnight drizzle has removed much of it. Pictures from Kirklees show a light dusting, and Ryhill near Wakefield appears unaffected.
- Four Inches of Snow in Meadowhead
Simon Thake provides an update from Meadowhead, where there's about four inches of snow. Traffic on main roads is moving, and bus services seem operational, but local checks are advised. Side roads are struggling with snow and ice, and residents are clearing cars and paths.
- Snow Covers Parts of Sheffield
Simon Thake shares his observations from the Meadowhead Roundabout at 06:00 GMT. He describes a proper snow covering, with traffic managing to get through but facing challenges. Conditions underfoot were slippery, making travel cautious.
- Weather Warnings in Effect
Three weather warnings remain in place across Yorkshire. An amber warning for snow, issued on Thursday, covers parts of West and South Yorkshire and is active until 09:00. Yellow warnings for snow and ice cover North, West, and South Yorkshire, with the latter active until noon.
The Met Office warns of heavy snow and dangerous traveling conditions due to Storm Goretti.
- Leeds: No Snow in Sight
Reporting from Leeds city center, there's not a flake of snow in sight. On the way to work, a visit to Ainley Top in Huddersfield, a classic TV snow spot, revealed only sleet and damp snow clearing. Remarkably, the M62 between Huddersfield and Leeds was clear in both directions, indicating that any travel issues would be traffic-related rather than weather-induced.
- Welcome to Our Live Coverage
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Storm Goretti's impact on Yorkshire. We'll be bringing you updates from across North, South, and West Yorkshire, uncovering the stories and experiences of this winter storm. While much of the county has avoided serious snow, some areas, particularly in South Yorkshire, have seen significant downfall. Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this winter wonderland!
