With Storm Goretti bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous conditions to South Wales, now’s the time to prepare your vehicle and plan your journeys carefully. Whether you’re navigating the valleys, coastal routes around Gower, or urban Swansea, we’ve put together this practical guide to keep you safe on the roads.
What’s Coming Our Way?
Storm Goretti is expected to bring significant snowfall across Wales, with accumulations of 10-15cm widely expected and potentially 20-30cm on higher ground. If you’re heading through the valleys or across elevated routes, conditions will be particularly challenging.
The northern edge of the storm will clash with cold air already settled over Britain, creating what forecasters are calling a ‘multi-hazard event’ with snow, wind, and rain all playing their part.
The Local Accident Hotspots You Need to Know
The South Wales Valleys
The mountain roads connecting our valleys are beautiful but treacherous in winter weather. The Rhigos and Maerdy mountain roads between the Rhondda and Cynon valleys are notorious for closing during heavy snow. The A465 through Ebbw Vale stays open more reliably, but extreme caution is essential.
Higher routes like the A4059, A4067, and A4069 become particularly dangerous when snow settles. These roads sit high on exposed moorland where wind can create drifting snow and black ice forms quickly as temperatures drop.
Gower Peninsula Routes
The stunning coastal roads that make Gower such a draw become hazards in winter storms. The B4271 to Rhossili winds through exposed areas where wind gusts can buffet your vehicle, and narrow lanes offer little room for error.
Watch out for the notorious Gower ponies and sheep that wander freely across common lands. In poor visibility and slippery conditions, these animals can appear suddenly on the road. The coastal road at Scurlage is particularly prone to flooding during storms, and when combined with snow or ice, conditions become extremely dangerous.
The winding lanes around Mumbles, Three Cliffs Bay, and Oxwich might look inviting, but they’re narrow with limited passing places. In snow, getting stuck or meeting another vehicle can leave you stranded.
Urban Swansea
While city roads are generally safer and better gritted, key routes still present challenges. The A469 Thornhill Road becomes impassable during heavy snow, and the hilly streets around the city centre can catch drivers out, particularly on steep gradients where traction disappears quickly.
Your Storm Goretti Preparation Checklist
Before you even think about getting behind the wheel, sort these essentials:
Vehicle Basics
- Check your tyres have at least 3mm of tread (legal minimum is 1.6mm, but you need more for snow)
- Top up windscreen washer fluid with winter mix that won’t freeze
- Test your lights, especially your rear fog lights
- Make sure your battery is in good condition (cold weather saps battery power)
- Fill up with fuel before the storm hits
Emergency Kit for Your Boot
- Warm blanket and spare warm clothes
- Torch with spare batteries
- Ice scraper and de-icer
- Shovel (even a small folding one helps)
- High-energy snacks and water
- Fully charged mobile phone power bank
- First aid kit
- Hi-vis vest and warning triangle
Journey Planning
- Check Traffic Wales and Met Office warnings before you leave
- Tell someone your route and expected arrival time
- Allow at least double your normal journey time
- Have alternative routes planned
- Consider if your journey is genuinely necessary
Driving Safely in Storm Goretti Conditions
Snow and Ice Techniques
Gentle is the golden rule. Harsh acceleration, braking, or steering will lose you traction instantly on snow or ice.
Starting Off
- Use second gear if driving a manual to reduce wheel spin
- If wheels spin, ease off immediately and try again more gently
- Rock the car gently if stuck (forward, then reverse, then forward again)
On the Move
- Leave 10 times your normal stopping distance
- Reduce your speed to match conditions, not the speed limit
- Use the highest gear possible to maintain smooth momentum
- Anticipate hazards early so you can slow down gradually
- If you start to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly in the direction you want to go
Going Downhill
- Select a low gear before you start descending
- Let engine braking do the work rather than your brakes
- Keep movements smooth and minimal
High Winds on Exposed Routes
Gower’s coastal roads and valley tops are exposed to powerful winds during storms. When you’re crossing exposed sections:
- Grip the steering wheel firmly with both hands
- Expect sudden gusts when passing buildings, bridges, or gaps in hedges
- Be extra cautious passing high-sided vehicles, caravans, or motorcycles
- Slow down well before exposed sections
- Watch for debris blown onto the road
Poor Visibility
Heavy snow reduces visibility dramatically. If you can’t see more than a car length ahead:
- Slow right down
- Use dipped headlights, not main beam (main beam reflects off snow)
- Use front and rear fog lights only in thick snow or fog
- Keep your windscreen clear and demist regularly
- If conditions become impossible, find a safe place to stop, but never stop on the carriageway
What to Do If You Get Stuck
Despite your best efforts, you might find yourself stuck. Here’s what to do:
- Stay Calm and Stay Put: Unless you’re in immediate danger, staying with your vehicle is safest. You’re more visible to rescuers and protected from the elements.
- Call for Help: Contact Moore Than Recovery on our emergency line. We operate 24/7 across Swansea, the valleys, and Gower, and we’re equipped to reach you even in challenging conditions.
- Keep Warm but Conserve Fuel: Run your engine for 10 minutes every hour to maintain warmth, but crack a window slightly to ensure ventilation. Clear snow from your exhaust pipe to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
- Stay Visible: Tie something bright to your antenna or door handle. At night, leave your hazard lights on periodically to preserve battery.
- Don’t Wander Off: Even if you think help is nearby, stay with your vehicle. People become disoriented quickly in snow and poor visibility.
Understanding Road Gritting
Not all roads get treated equally. Main routes like the M4 and A-roads receive priority gritting, but many B-roads and rural lanes won’t be treated at all. The council can’t grit every road, so popular routes like the one to Rhossili or smaller valley roads may not see a gritter until after the storm passes.
Even gritted roads aren’t automatically safe. Salt is less effective below -7°C, and on fresh snow, the road may still be treacherous until traffic helps the grit work. The first hour after snow falls is often the most dangerous on gritted roads.
When You Shouldn’t Drive
Sometimes, the bravest decision is not to travel. Don’t drive if:
- Amber or red weather warnings are in place for your route
- Your vehicle isn’t properly equipped or maintained
- You’re not confident in winter driving
- The journey isn’t essential
- Emergency services are advising against travel
Your boss will understand. Your family will forgive you for missing dinner. No appointment is worth risking your safety or the safety of others.
If the Worst Happens: Vehicle Recovery in Extreme Weather
Moore Than Recovery specialises in vehicle recovery across all of South Wales, and we don’t stop when the weather turns nasty. We’ve recovered vehicles from snow-blocked valley roads, wind-battered Gower lanes, and icy hillsides across Swansea.
We know the local roads intimately. We know which routes flood, which hilltops become impassable first, and the safest ways to reach stranded drivers. Our recovery vehicles are equipped for challenging conditions, and our drivers have years of experience in Welsh winter weather.
If you need recovery, breakdown assistance, or you’re worried about attempting a journey, call us first. We’ll give you honest advice about conditions and, if you do need us, we’ll get to you as quickly and safely as possible.
After the Storm: The Hidden Dangers
Storm Goretti will eventually pass, but don’t assume roads are safe immediately. Melting snow refreezes overnight, creating treacherous black ice that’s invisible until you’re sliding. Floodwater may linger in dips and hollows, and debris blown onto roads creates new hazards.
Potholes worsen dramatically after freeze-thaw cycles, so watch for damaged road surfaces that were fine before the storm. Report any dangerous potholes or road damage to the council promptly.
Local Resources to Bookmark
- Traffic Wales: Real-time traffic updates and road closures across Wales
- Met Office: Weather warnings and forecasts specific to South Wales
- Swansea Council: Local road updates and gritting schedules
- Emergency Services: Always call 999 if you’re in immediate danger
Your Local Recovery Service
Moore Than Recovery has been serving Swansea, the South Wales valleys, and the Gower Peninsula for years. We’re not a national company with call centres and subcontractors. We’re local people who know these roads personally, and we’re available 24 hours a day, every day.
Whether you need recovery from a snow-blocked lane, help after a weather-related breakdown, or just advice about whether your planned journey is sensible, we’re here for you.
Stay safe out there. If in doubt, don’t go out. And if you need us, we’ll be there.
Need vehicle recovery in Swansea, the Valleys, or Gower? Moore Than Recovery provides fast, professional service whatever the weather. Call us 24/7 for emergency recovery, breakdown assistance, or friendly advice about driving conditions in South Wales.