School Closures in Nottingham as Storm Goretti Brings Heavy Snowfall

Weather Warnings Trigger School Disruption Across Nottingham

Nottingham is facing significant disruption to education as an amber Met Office warning for heavy snow is in place for parts of Nottinghamshire, with Storm Goretti expected to cause significant disruption to the East Midlands. The severe weather event has prompted concerns about school closures across the region as parents and educators prepare for potentially dangerous travelling conditions.

Amber and Yellow Warnings in Effect

Snow is set to fall over Nottinghamshire and large swathes of the East Midlands, with the Met Office issuing an amber and yellow snow warning for the region. Rain is expected to start falling over Nottingham later this afternoon at 3pm, which will continue into the night until the Amber snow warning comes into effect at 8pm. Areas such as Nottingham, Hucknall and Sutton-in-Ashfield are under the amber warning.

Accumulations of 10-15 cm are likely fairly widely, with the potential for 20-30 cm in some locations, mainly on hills above 200 m elevation, more especially in Wales and/or the Peak District. This substantial snowfall poses serious safety concerns for pupils and staff attempting to travel to schools.

How to Check for School Closures

The decision to close a school is taken by the head teacher after considering a number of factors including the health and safety of staff and pupils, staff availability and road conditions near the school. On snowy days schools make every effort to stay open but sometimes they must close or partially close if it’s unsafe for pupils and teachers to attend.

Parents are advised to check multiple sources for closure information. If a school is closed, this information should be available on the school’s website. It is always best to check your email, school app or school social media accounts regularly for updates.

Significance for Nottingham Families

The impact of these weather-related school closures extends beyond education, affecting working parents who may need to arrange childcare at short notice. Schools will try to give parents as much notice as possible but sometimes decisions will be made quite late as circumstances change. Transport disruption is also expected, with East Midlands Railway intending to run the full timetable on the Midland Main Line between London and Nottingham and Sheffield, though delays are possible.

As Storm Goretti continues to affect the region, families should remain vigilant and prepared for potential closures extending into Friday. The safety of children and staff remains the primary concern as Nottingham navigates this significant weather event.