The Met Office has issued several weather warnings as Storm Bert is set to bring a “multi-hazard event” to the UK following a cold snap. The storm is expected to reach the UK on Saturday and the Met Office is expecting it to bring heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend, potentially causing travel disruption and flooding. An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday in an area north of Scotland’s central belt, where 10-20cm is likely on the ground above 200 metres and potentially as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400 metres. The warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.
Meanwhile, yellow wind, rain and snow warnings cover much of the rest of the UK. Wind warnings cover Scotland from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday. Rain and snow warnings cover northern England from 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Northern Ireland from midnight on Friday until 11 a.m. on Saturday. Rain warnings cover much of Wales from 6 a.m. on Saturday until 6 a.m. on Sunday, and southwest England from 6 a.m. on Saturday until 11.45 p.m. A wind warning also covers coastal areas of southern England from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Storm Bert was a “multi-hazard event”. “We’re looking at strong winds, some high snowfall accumulation, heavy rain, all in various different parts of the UK,” he said. “So it’s quite a complex weather set-up for the weekend. Generally speaking, it’s a very unsettled weekend of weather ahead.” He advised the public to keep an eye on the weather in their areas. “Because of the different nature of the weather across the UK, people really need to have an idea of what the forecast is for them specifically. Further south it’s wind and rain, further north it’s snow then rain and wind. So it really depends on where you are in the UK. Keep on top of the forecast for your area, and prepare as necessary.
It follows a cold snap which caused schools to close throughout the UK. Scotland remained the worst affected, with more than 54 schools shut in the Highland Council on Friday because of snow. At least 27 schools in Aberdeenshire were also shut while many others had delayed openings. South of the border, at least 37 schools were shut in Devon, and three in Dorset. RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson warned drivers to be aware of “rapidly changing conditions” on the roads because of Storm Bert. “Persistent downpours will lead to areas of standing water, so it’s important to keep speeds down as the risk of losing control through aquaplaning on a thin layer of water is far greater,” she said.
“Drivers should also be very wary of puddles as they can sometimes hide dangerous potholes beneath that can cause expensive damage to vehicles. Strong winds increase the risk of debris falling into the road which makes journeys more challenging, particularly in exposed coastal areas where drivers might be at risk of being buffeted off course. Routes in Scotland, especially rural ones, look likely to face disruption from fresh snow that is forecast on Friday and Saturday. We encourage motorists to stick to major roads where possible and take extra care in the worst-affected areas. Those who have to drive should stay tuned to weather forecasts and allow plenty of time to de-ice and de-mist your vehicle, as it’s dangerous and illegal to drive looking out of a small gap in a frozen windscreen.”
With Storm Bert set to hit the UK, the Met Office has warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and disruptive snow, prompting a series of weather warnings across the country. An amber alert for heavy snow and ice has been issued for parts of Scotland, while yellow wind, rain, and snow warnings cover various regions. Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon described Storm Bert as a “multi-hazard event”, advising people to stay updated on the forecast in their area and prepare accordingly. The storm follows a cold snap that led to school closures in Scotland and parts of England, with RAC Breakdown warning drivers of challenging road conditions and advising caution during the storm.