Snowdon AVALANCHE alert as Storm Goretti 'weather bomb' puts tourists at risk

Avalanche warnings have now been issued for Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, which are added to alerts for avalanches in Scotland

Hikers have been warned of an avalanche risk on a popular mountain climb, with the country facing heavy snowfall.

The avalanche alert has been issued for Wales’ highest mountain Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, with areas of unstable snow prompting concerns of “serious falls” and “localised avalanches”. The alert was issued by Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) with the arrival of Storm Goretti.

There are also six areas facing a "considerable" avalanche risk from the current heavy snow and Arctic conditions in Scotland. The information provided by the Scottish Avalanche Information Service shows that risk is for Creag Meagaidh, Glencoe, Lochaher, North Cairngorms, South Cairngorms and Torridon.

The service states: "Natural avalanches may occur, in some cases large, in isolated cases very large are possible. A single person load is likely to trigger an avalanche on some steep slopes."

A “weather bomb” is set to bring heavy snowfall and galeforce winds to the UK as Storm Goretti hits. 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 and wind gusts of up to 100mph.

Weather warnings have been issued for snow, wind, rain and ice across the country ahead of likely “disruption and dangerous travelling conditions”.

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.”

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”.