By Viviane Vaz
MICE INSIGHTS (7 January 2025)
The first named storm of 2026, Storm Goretti, is sweeping across Europe, bringing heavy snow, ice, strong winds, and plunging temperatures. The storm is causing widespread travel disruption (flights cancelled ✈️, trains delayed 🚆, roads hazardous 🚗), and outdoor events are also being affected. Authorities across the continent are urging residents and visitors to limit non-essential travel and take extra precautions.
MICE INSIGHTS has analyzed the impact of Goretti so far, highlighting travel disruptions and public transport delays. Check out the full breakdown below:
🇫🇷 France
Paris is among the worst-hit cities. Around 100 flights were cancelled at Charles de Gaulle and 40 at Orly. All bus services in Paris and surrounding suburbs were suspended, though metro and suburban rail lines ran with delays. Météo-France placed 38 departments on alert for snow and black ice, with accumulations up to 7 cm, and advised residents to work from home where possible.
🇧🇪 Belgium
At Brussels Airport, at least 40 flights were cancelled. Snowfall in Brussels and Antwerp has slowed traffic and public transport, and airport authorities warned of delays across the day as crews de-ice aircraft and clear runways.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Amsterdam Schiphol, one of Europe’s busiest airports, reported at least 700 flight cancellations, leaving over 1,000 passengers stranded overnight. Strong winds and snow continue to affect operations, with further delays expected.
🇩🇪 Germany
Snow and ice are causing rail and road disruption, particularly in the west and south. Deutsche Bahn reported delays and cancellations on long-distance and regional services through North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg. Airports including Munich and Frankfurt warned of de-icing delays, while authorities issued black ice alerts 🚧❄️.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Parts of the UK are under yellow snow and wind warnings. Southwest England, including Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly, faces strong winds, while snow warnings cover Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Wales is expecting heavier snowfall later this week, and amber cold health alerts remain in effect 🧊.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Storm Goretti is forecast to affect Portugal later this week with rain, strong winds and a drop in temperatures, especially along the Atlantic coast. Snow is possible at higher elevations, such as in parts of Serra da Estrela, while inland areas may see frost or ice forming on roads. Forecasters warn of windy conditions that may impact coastal areas and transit, but major flight cancellations or ferry stoppages have not been widely reported at the time of writing.
🇪🇸 Spain
Goretti is expected to bring rain and strong winds to northern and inland regions later this week. Some higher-altitude areas, like parts of the Pyrenees, may see snow, and local roads or regional rail could be affected. Madrid and Barcelona are expected to remain mostly unaffected, though authorities advise monitoring forecasts for potential travel delays.
🇨🇭Switzerland
Storm Goretti has already brought severe winter conditions across Switzerland, significantly disrupting air and rail travel. Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA) airports recorded a combined 39 flight cancellations and more than 100 delays on 6 January, as heavy snowfall and extended de-icing operations slowed departures and arrivals. Rail travel has also been affected by extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to around –28 °C in some regions, leading Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) to report switch-heater failures, speed restrictions and sporadic regional train cancellations, while long-distance InterCity services have experienced ongoing delays.
🇸🇪 🇩🇰 🇫🇮 🇳🇴 Nordic countries
Winter conditions are worsening across Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway:
- Sweden: Snow caused tram suspensions in Gothenburg and power outage warnings ❄️.
- Denmark: North Jutland warned of icy roads and heavy snow, with some rail delays 🚆🚗.
- Finland: Arctic air and snow led to tram, metro and commuter rail delays in Helsinki, minor airport delays ✈️, and hazardous walking conditions 🧊.
- Norway: Snow and strong winds affected Oslo and surrounding regions, causing road hazards, rail and ferry delays ❄️.
⚠️Travel and event advice
Across Europe, travellers and event organisers should monitor airline, rail and local transport updates, allow extra time for journeys, and prepare for last-minute changes. Storm Goretti is expected to continue causing disruption over the next few days.
✈️ Flights & Airports
| Country | Key Impacts |
|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | Paris: 100+ cancellations at Charles de Gaulle, 40 at Orly. Buses suspended; metro & suburban rail running with delays. |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Brussels Airport: 40+ cancellations; snow slows traffic & public transport in Brussels & Antwerp. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Schiphol: 700+ cancellations; 1,000+ passengers stranded overnight. |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Munich & Frankfurt airports: de-icing delays; snow and ice disrupt operations. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Delays expected in areas under snow & wind warnings. |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Lisbon & Porto: minor delays expected due to strong winds and rain; coastal areas and ferry services may be impacted. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Northern and inland regions may experience rain, wind, and isolated snow at higher altitudes, with possible local airport or rail delays. Madrid and Barcelona largely unaffected. |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Zurich (ZRH) & Geneva (GVA): 39 flight cancellations and 100+ delays due to heavy snow and extended de-icing operations. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Helsinki-Vantaa: minor delays due to snow and de-icing operations. |
🚆 Trains & Rail
| Country | Key Impacts |
|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Deutsche Bahn: delays & cancellations on long-distance & regional trains in west & south. |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Snow & icy conditions may slow train services in southwest England & Wales. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Tram services suspended in Gothenburg; power outage warnings. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Some rail delays in North Jutland; icy roads may affect access. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Tram, metro & commuter rail delays in Helsinki; hazardous walking conditions. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Regional rail & ferry services delayed around Oslo. |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Local train delays possible in snowy areas. |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | SBB: extreme cold (down to –28 °C) causing switch-heater failures, speed restrictions and some regional cancellations, with residual InterCity delays. |
🛳️ Cruises & Water Travel
While Storm Goretti’s main impact has been on land, cruise passengers 🛳️ may face delays, altered itineraries, or skipped ports, especially on coastal and river routes. No widespread cancellations have been reported, but travellers should check with their cruise operator for real-time updates and prepare for possible schedule changes.
Mice Insights 
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