On the evening of January 8, Birmingham and the wider West Midlands were hit by a surprising and swift snowfall, transforming the region into a winter landscape within less than an hour. Snow began to fall around 7 pm, quickly intensifying and settling following a brief wintry shower.
Local resident and TikTok user Alex Phillips captured the snowfall over a Birmingham backyard and shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) just before 8 pm: “Two inches of snow has fallen in Birmingham in 45 minutes. Storm Goretti has taken hold.” Within another 30 minutes, others reported the snow depth doubling, with Richard Johnson noting: “Four inches of snow, Birmingham B45.”
The Met Office classified the storm as “dangerous” for travel, leading to immediate and significant disruption. Birmingham Airport halted all runway operations, while a section of the M5 motorway between junctions 4 and 3 became nearly impassable, closing lanes two and three and triggering major traffic delays as snow plows and recovery teams worked to clear the blizzard’s aftermath.
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Road conditions turned hazardous across the region. The A38M Aston Expressway faced partial blockage due to accidents and heavy snow, alongside impassable routes such as the A38 Corporation Street near Dartmouth Circus. Lichfield Road was obstructed in both directions from Livingstone Road to Abbotts Street, with multiple vehicles, including a lorry on a canal bridge, stranded.
Public transport also suffered massively. National Express rerouted several bus lines, while local operator LandFlight in Solihull suspended all bus services. Train services across the National Rail network were reduced, with multiple failures reported at Snow Hill station. Birmingham New Street station displayed warnings urging passengers to check schedules and travel only if necessary due to the ongoing impacts of Storm Goretti.
The Met Office’s amber weather warning remains in effect, with hazardous conditions expected to persist until midday Friday. Several schools throughout the West Midlands have preemptively closed for safety, with others deciding on closures tomorrow morning.
According to the Met Office forecast, “Heavy snow related to Storm Goretti will cause significant travel disruption Thursday night into Friday, particularly over higher terrain. Expect windy, cold conditions with persistent icy surfaces.”
Residents are advised to stay updated on travel conditions and prioritize safety during the severe weather.