09/01/2026 – Weather in Cornwall – Yellow Weather Warning For Wind

Published On: 9 January 2026Last Updated: 9 January 2026By CornishStuff

A Yellow weather warning for wind has been issued by the Met Office, covering Cornwall as Storm Goretti moves through the area.

The warning was in place from 3pm on Thursday 8th January until 8am today, Friday 9th January.

What’s expected

Storm Goretti is bringing a spell of strong winds, with conditions worsening through Thursday afternoon and peaking during Thursday evening.

Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected fairly widely, with 60 to 70mph possible along exposed coasts and hills. Winds are forecast to ease gradually from the west during the early hours of Friday.

The Met Office says the winds may lead to some disruption across Cornwall.

Possible impacts

The warning highlights several potential risks, including:

Injuries and danger to life from flying debris
Damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
Disruption to road, rail, air and ferry services, with longer journey times and possible cancellations
Road and bridge closures
Power cuts, which could also affect services such as mobile phone coverage
Danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties

Additional warning for parts of Cornwall

Storm Goretti is expected to produce a swathe of exceptionally strong winds across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For a short period, gusts could suddenly increase to between 80 and 100mph or more in exposed areas. A separate Red weather warning has been issued for this.

Safety advice

People are being urged to prepare by securing loose items outside their homes, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines, sheds and fences.

Those travelling are advised to check road conditions and public transport timetables and amend plans if needed.

The Met Office also recommends preparing for possible power cuts by gathering torches, batteries and mobile phone power packs.

Anyone near the coast is advised to stay well clear of large waves, which can be dangerous even from the shore. Extra care should be taken near cliffs, with dogs kept on a lead. In an emergency, people should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Why the warning is yellow

The Met Office says the Yellow warning reflects a low likelihood but a medium impact, and people are advised to stay up to date with local weather forecasts as warnings can change quickly.

South West England weather forecast

Headline:

Rather windy and cold with scattered showers.

Today:

Showery rain, sleet and hill snow, associated with Storm Goretti, gradually easing for many. Skies brightening in the west with showers, these perhaps wintry over the Moors. Remaining windy. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Tonight:

Scattered showers this evening, occasionally wintry over the hills, then mainly dry overnight with clear spells and a risk of frost and ice. Patchy freezing fog forming. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Saturday:

Drier with sunny spells in places but still a chance of showers, these wintry at times and most frequent in the west. Feeling rather cold in brisk northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Starting mostly dry on Sunday but rain arriving later, heavy in places. Turning milder thereafter with heavy showers or longer spells of rain. Becoming windy at times.

Updated: 04:00 (UTC) on Fri 9 Jan 2026