Stone has been moved into the Met Office’s amber snow warning area, following an update issued on Thursday evening as Storm Goretti continues to track across the region.
The change was confirmed earlier, with the Met Office warning that falling temperatures overnight are likely to see rain increasingly turn to snow, raising the risk of disruption into Friday.
Earlier forecasts had placed Stone just outside the amber area, but the latest update brings the town into a zone where snow is considered more likely, with a greater potential impact on travel and local services.
What is expected overnight
Rain is forecast to move through during the evening, with temperatures dropping later tonight. As that happens, the rain is expected to turn to snow, particularly overnight and into the early hours of Friday.
The Met Office says accumulations are possible, although amounts are still expected to vary significantly over short distances. Higher ground is more likely to see settling snow first, but lower levels could also be affected if temperatures fall quickly enough.
Snow is expected to ease through Friday morning, although disruption may persist even after snowfall stops, particularly where untreated roads and pavements become icy.
Why Stone has moved into amber
Amber warnings are issued when there is both a higher likelihood of severe weather and a greater chance of impacts such as travel disruption or power outages.
In this case, the upgrade reflects increased confidence that snow will fall across a wider area overnight, rather than just on higher ground. The Met Office also notes ongoing uncertainty around the exact track of Storm Goretti, which could still influence how conditions develop locally.
Advice for residents
Residents are being advised to think carefully about travel plans, particularly early on Friday. Roads may be slow or difficult in places, and public transport could be affected if conditions deteriorate.
Simple preparations at home are also being encouraged, including charging mobile phones, having torches to hand, and checking in on neighbours who may need extra support in cold weather.
