Storm Bert to bring up to 15 INCHES of snow, 70mph wind & downpours this weekend as amber warning for ice issued
An amber warning for snow and ice has been put in place by the Met Office
STORM Bert is set to bring up to 15 inches of snow, 70mph winds and downpours this weekend as an amber warning is issued.
Temperatures are set to plunge well below freezing across parts of the UK tonight ahead of an arctic blast due to hit on Saturday.
On Thursday evening, the Met Office said it will be “another night for the thick duvet and extra blankets” – with overnight temperatures “falling well below freezing where there is a covering of snow”.
Forecasters even predict it may fall as low as minus 10C in northern Scotland overnight.
This is reflected in yellow weather warnings for snow and ice across the UK until 10am on Friday, with one covering parts of Scotland in effect until midday.
Meanwhile, a further amber warning was issued across part of Scotland for 10 hours on Saturday for snow and ice.
The amber alert will be in force between 7am and 5pm, where 10-20cm is likely on ground above 200 metres and potentially as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400 metres.
It covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “Overnight we’re expecting a sharp frost and some icy stretches so do take care.
“So another cold night on offer, particularly in those brisk northerly winds.
“Through into Friday, those snow showers are set to continue mainly around coastal areas though once again still a few feeding inland at times.
“There will also still be plenty of autumnal sunshine. Still feeling cold though, particularly in those brisk winds – once again we’re only looking at highs of around 5C, slightly higher in the south west around 7C.
“Across the north those temperatures struggling to move past 2-3C.
“As we head into Friday evening, a change is on its way as we introduce Storm Bert moving its way in from the Atlantic.
“So we’ll see clouds spilling in from the south west with outbreaks of rain – this heavy at times by the time we reach Saturday morning.”
Yellow warnings, including for rain, are in place from today until Sunday night.
The Met Office said in a full statement: “Storm Bert has been named and is forecast to bring heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend.”
The second named storm of the season will gradually descend onto the UK on Friday before moving eastwards.
It follows days of sub-zero temperatures that saw schools shut their doors and commuters facing travel chaos on the roads and rail.
More than 114 schools shut in the Highland Council area on Thursday because of snow.
Pupils at Inverness Royal Academy were told their prelim exams planned for the day would be rescheduled.
Almost 40 schools in Aberdeenshire were also shut while many others had delayed openings.
And, more than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather.
South of the border, 89 schools were shut in Devon on Thursday, 18 in Dorset and 60 in Cornwall, while in Wales around 10 were closed in Conwy, 18 in Denbighshire and two in Wrexham.
Higher ground seeing 15cm to 20cm (up to 7.8ins), it added.
The Met Office warning said: “Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy.
“Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal to reduce your risk of accidents, slips, and falls. If making a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery.
“Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.”
The national forecaster has also issued a yellow alert covering 16 regions of Britain, stretching from Orkney and Shetland all the way down to the South East of England.
The warnings are in place for a total of 24 hours across different parts of the country, starting at midday today and lasting until 12pm on Friday.
Not all areas are impacted for the entire 24 hours, but the likes of the Scottish Highlands will be worst hit by the onslaught of wintry weather.
Parts of south-west England including Plymouth and Exeter have also received a yellow warning for snow between 5am and 3pm on Thursday, with 5cm to 10cm predicted in higher parts of Dartmoor.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “A northerly airflow will continue to feed snow showers into Scotland over the next few days, with this reaching lower levels at times and bringing the potential for some travel disruption.
“Overnight temperatures will drop below zero fairly widely over the next few days, which has resulted in some ice warnings, with further warnings likely through this week.
“On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is likely to affect the southwest which could potentially bring disruption. It’s likely high ground in the area will see snow, with a mixture of conditions likely at lower levels. 2-5cm of snow is possible in places at lower levels, with around 10cm possible over higher parts of Dartmoor.”
UK 5 day weather forecast
Today
A frosty and perhaps icy start for most on Thursday with sunshine and wintry showers in areas exposed to the northwesterly wind.
Cloudier in the southwest with outbreaks of rain and hill snow moving through. Rather breezy.
Tonight
Wintry and blustery showers continue in the north of the UK, but drier with clear skies further south, and a widespread frost developing away from any coasts.
Friday
Another frosty and in places icy start on Friday with sunshine and wintry showers continuing in exposed areas. Showers and winds gradually easing through the afternoon.
Saturday to Monday
Turning wet and windy for all on Saturday, with some hill snow initially, and blustery showers on Sunday and Monday. Milder on Saturday and Sunday but cooler again into Monday.
Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said there would be brighter skies outside the warnings areas across the country on Thursday morning and into the afternoon
But she added that a “severe frost” was also likely before more “bitterly cold” temperatures on Thursday evening.
It comes after new yellow warnings for rain were also published from Saturday to Sunday morning in south-west England and Wales.
Two warnings are in force from 6am on Saturday and will expire on 6am Sunday.
There was already a yellow warning for heavy snow on Saturday followed by a “rapid thaw” and rain on Saturday night in north-east and north-west England, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and much of Scotland.
TRAVEL DISRUPTION
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “A northerly airflow will continue to feed snow showers into Scotland over the next few days, with this reaching lower levels at times and bringing the potential for some travel disruption.
“Overnight temperatures will drop below zero fairly widely over the next few days, which has resulted in some ice warnings, with further warnings likely through this week.
“On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is likely to affect the southwest which could potentially bring disruption.
“It’s likely high ground in the area will see snow, with a mixture of conditions likely at lower levels. 2-5cm of snow is possible in places at lower levels, with around 10cm possible over higher parts of Dartmoor.”
Commuters can expect more travel chaos with National Rail warning of four days of disruption as heavy snow is expected to continue falling over the weekend.
The deluge is expected on Saturday followed by a rapid thaw and rain in north-east and north-west England, the West Midlands, Yorkshire, and much of Scotland.
A yellow rain and snow warning was issued between 4am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday with the prospect of a danger to life due to flooding.
“This will feel like the first taste of winter for many, with the snow and ice risks layered on top,” Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon said.
More than 100 schools or nurseries were closed in Scotland on Wednesday because of the weather, with 52 shut in the Highland Council area, 51 in Aberdeenshire, 11 in Moray and two in Shetland.
