Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) moved to its "Weather Warning" preparedness level in central southern England on 7 January 2026, ahead of severe weather expected on Thursday and Friday1. The network operator said gale-force winds are forecast for Thursday evening and into the early hours of Friday, and that France's meteorological service has named the system Storm Goretti1.
SSEN's forecasts indicate wind speeds of up to 70mph in exposed parts of Wessex and along the south coast, with 55mph gusts forecast inland, peaking in the early hours of Friday1. The Met Office has issued its own wind warnings for Thursday and Friday1. SSEN said "Weather Warning" is the first of its levels of heightened preparedness ahead of a period of severe weather1.
"Moving to this status means we've activated our well-rehearsed contingency plans, with teams in strategic locations ready to respond to network damage and faults"
The operator said teams on duty overnight in its control room have been bolstered, and that they will reroute the network around faults, meaning power in some cases can be restored more quickly1. It has also sent text messages to more than 400 thousand customers registered for its Priority Services who live in the areas forecast to be most affected by winds, containing advice and information in the event the power goes off for a time1.
SSEN lists the following as eligible for its Priority Services1:
| Eligibility criteria |
|---|
| Are deaf or hard of hearing |
| Have a disability |
| Live with children under five |
| Are blind or partially-sighted |
| Have a chronic illness |
| Use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity |
| Are over 60 |
SSEN said all its priority services are free, and directs customers to call 0800 294 3259 for more information1. It also encourages saving the emergency power cut number, 105, to report loss of supply or damage to the electricity network, and points to its Power Track service for power cut details and restoration times1. Anyone who sees damage to SSEN equipment is asked to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105 or via Power Track1.
Why it matters for households
A named storm with gusts of this strength can bring down lines and interrupt supply, so the practical question for a household is how it would cope if power were lost for a period. SSEN's move to a heightened level means extra crews and control room staff are already in place, which can shorten the time faults take to fix1. For homes that depend on electricity for medical equipment, or that include people who are older, disabled or living with young children, the Priority Services Register is the mechanism by which the network operator knows who needs extra help during an outage, and SSEN has confirmed its services are free1. Households outside the registered group have no advance notice mechanism beyond general updates, so awareness of the 105 number and Power Track is the main channel for information during an incident1. For those weighing how much independence a home has when the grid is down, the backup-power hub sets out the options, and eligibility for extra support is explained in the guide to who is eligible for the Priority Services Register. Customers in Northern Ireland fall under a separate scheme, the Customer Care Register.
What happens next
SSEN said it will continue to monitor the weather closely and will issue further updates depending on the forecast1. Wind speeds are due to peak in the early hours of Friday1. No restoration times or specific fault locations have been reported.