LONDON – As Britain grapples with one of its most prolonged and freezing cold spells in recent memory, the country is bracing for a powerful storm set to bring significant snowfall and fierce winds on Thursday. Weather experts have issued warnings highlighting potential dangers to life.

The storm, advancing from the Atlantic, is expected to hit central England hardest, with forecasts predicting up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow falling within hours. This weather event is likely to disrupt schools, transportation, and businesses, especially in rural regions.

Named Storm Goretti by France Meteo, the French weather service, this system is anticipated to move away from Britain by late Friday. However, it will continue its path across northwest Europe, which has already been dealing with challenging conditions of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.

Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the UK’s Met Office, described Storm Goretti as a “multi-hazard event” characterized by heavy rain, strong winds, and snow.

The Met Office has issued amber warnings for several areas across the UK. These alerts signify a higher likelihood of severe weather impacts compared to the lower-level yellow warnings. Residents can expect possible travel disruptions, road and rail closures, flight cancellations, power outages, and risks to life and property.

The snowfall will mean trains and planes could be delayed or cancelled, rural communities may be cut off, and power cuts and disruption to mobile signal are likely.

Amber cold weather health alerts have also been extended by the U.K. Health Security Agency for all regions of England until Jan. 12, which means severe impacts across health and social care services are expected. Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.

Many parts of Wales, northern England and Scotland have been blanketed with snow over the past few days that has led to numerous school closures and travel disruption.

In the Netherlands, the bad weather eased on Thursday, helping Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which saw hundreds of flights canceled on each of the first three days of the working week, trying to return to normal. However, it was briefly hit by a power outage in the morning.

Dutch national carrier KLM said there were still long lines of passengers at the airport but added that it was “doing everything possible to ensure departing passengers leave on time.”