Birmingham Airport closed with flights forced to divert after being struck by heavy snowfall

Rare red weather warning as Storm Goretti swoops in - Alex Deakin provides all the details on GB News |

GB NEWS

Ben Chapman

By Ben Chapman


Published: 08/01/2026

- 21:45

Updated: 09/01/2026

- 06:36

The region has been battered by heavy snow

Birmingham Airport has suspended operations as Storm Goretti wreaks havoc across the West Midlands.

The region has been battered by heavy snow, winds and cold weather as the Met Office issued an amber warning.


A number of local travel services have been impacted, including West Midlands Railway.

And now, planes flying to and from the city have been stopped.

A notice on the airport's website read: "Due to heavy snow, runway operations are currently suspended.

"We will continue to keep our website updated with changes as they happen.

"Passengers due to travel from Birmingham Airport are advised to contact their airline for the latest updates on their flight."

Snow on the roadThe Met Office has described Storm Goretti as a 'multi-hazard event' | PA

According to Airliners Live on X, an Air India Dreamliner was forced to declare an emergency and divert to Heathrow.

The aircraft had been bound for Birmingham Airport but was forced to change course due to snow disruption.

The airliner was said to be low on fuel, prompting the decision to declare an emergency to expedite its descent into the London airport.

According to the page, other flights are also diverting to nearby airports, including East Midlands.

The developments follow the Met Office’s decision to issue a rare red weather warning for winds of up to 100mph in Cornwall on Thursday, urging residents to stay indoors. Much of the rest of Britain, including the Home Counties, has meanwhile been placed on alert for heavy snowfall.

South West England has been lashed by what forecasters described as “exceptionally strong” winds, with everyone in Cornwall advised to remain indoors between 4pm and 11pm.

Dramatic footage shared on social media shows residents struggling to drive along country roads that have been transformed into fast-flowing streams amid severe flooding.

One video, filmed by a man in Newquay, appears to show the town centre cut off as he battles through torrential rain in an attempt to buy food.

Cars travelling in the snowThe RAC has called on drivers to consider their travel plans ahead of Storm Goretti | PA

Elsewhere, images from Paddington Station in London show deserted platforms, with commuters opting to stay away amid fears of widespread train cancellations.

The Met Office said wind gusts of up to 99mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly on Thursday evening.

More From GB News