A huge snow storm is falling quickly across Birmingham and other parts of the West Midlands
21:10, 08 Jan 2026Updated 21:36, 08 Jan 2026
Residents in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands were left blown away by how quickly snow covered the region tonight (January 8).
Flurries of snow began at around 7pm but the white stuff quickly built up momentum and began to stick to the ground once a short, wintry shower passed.
TikToker Alex Phillips, who lives in Birmingham, shared footage of snow falling over a back garden in the city.
READ MORE: Snow chaos in Birmingham live as storm closes airport runways, schools, roads and rail
Writing on social media platform X, shortly before 8pm, he said: “Two inches of snow has fallen in Birmingham in 45 minutes. Storm Goretti has taken hold.”
Less than 30 minutes later, others felt the amount of snow on the ground had already doubled.
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Richard Johnson wrote on X: “Four inches of snow, Birmingham B45.”
The snow storm, which The Met Office described as “dangerous” to travel in, quickly caused disruption to public transport and road networks around the region.
Birmingham Airport suspended all its runway operations and a section of the M5 was nearly unpassable due to the blizzard. Lanes two and three were closed between J4 and J3 – causing huge traffic delays as snow ploughs and recovery teams were called out.
READ MORE: Snow hits Birmingham and West Midlands as Storm Goretti takes hold – pictures
The roads were treacherous with the A38M Aston Expressway partially blocked due to accident and snow before A38 Corporation Street (Dartmouth Circus) and many other roads impassable. On Lichfield Road, multiple vehicles were stranded, including a lorry on the canal bridge, and the road blocked in both directions from Livingstone Road to Abbotts Street.
National Express diverted a number of bus services away from their normal routes and Solihull-based bus operator LandFlight suspended all services due to the dramatic weather conditions.
Train services were also scaled back across National Rail’s network and a multiple points failure was reported at Snow Hill.
Notice boards inside Birmingham New Street station read: “Due to Storm Goretti, trains in the West Midlands and surrounding areas will be running on a reduced timetable from 7pm.
“Passengers are advised to take care to plan your journey and check before you travel. Only travel if absolutely necessary.”
Storm Goretti will likely continue causing travel chaos until around tomorrow midday, according to The Met Office, which has issued an ‘amber’ weather warning for the region.
Several schools in the West Midlands have already announced they will be closed on Friday for safety reasons.
Others said they will make a decision first thing in the morning.
The latest Met Office weather forecast for the region reads: “Heavy snow, associated with Storm Goretti, is likely to lead to disruption and dangerous travelling conditions Thursday night into Friday.
“Significant falls of snow are possible, especially over higher ground. Windy and cold with icy conditions possible.”
Follow our live blog for the very latest on snow, Storm Goretti, school closures and travel news