New National Severe Weather Warnings have been issued for Saturday and Sunday as Storm Bert heads towards the UK. The weather system will bring heavy rain and snow, together with strong winds, to large swathes of the country.
Ahead of Storm Bert, wintry showers will continue to impact parts of the UK on Friday, particularly in exposed areas in the north. However, as a brief ridge of high pressure moves in, Friday will bring a drier and brighter end to the week. It will still feel very chilly, with maximum temperatures of just 7 or 8 degrees Celsius.
Jason Kelly, a Met Office Chief Meteorologist, said:
“Storm Bert starts to arrive overnight on Friday and into Saturday, initially over Northern Ireland.
“As we go through the first part of Saturday morning, it will start to show its hand across Scotland, north Wales, and northern England, with the potential for some heavy snowfall, especially over higher ground. Warnings are in place, including an amber warning for snow and ice for parts of Scotland.”
Storm Bert is also expected to bring heavy rain through Saturday and Sunday, especially to southern and western parts of the UK.
Jason continued:
“Heavy rainfall will affect much of the UK this weekend. Rain is expected to develop during Saturday morning across southwest and southern England, becoming particularly heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday.
“Accumulations of 50-75 mm are expected to fall fairly widely during this time. There is a chance that some places, over Dartmoor for example, could see 100-150 mm. In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend may bring flooding for some.”
Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain, and warnings are in place for both the south and the north. Gusts could peak at 50-60 mph in many parts of the warning areas, and could even exceed 70 mph along some exposed coasts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Jason Kelly added:
“Storm Bert is what we call a ‘multi-hazard event’, bringing snow, rain, and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend. Multiple National Severe Weather Warnings are in place and will be added to and amended over the weekend. It’s possible this may be at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”
Mark Nash, National Network Manager at National Highways, said:
“With the arrival of Storm Bert, it is important to plan ahead for your journey, and if weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour and take extra care.”
• Weather warning for heavy snow and rain for parts of Nottinghamshire and East Midlands