Storm Bert to hit UK at weekend with weather warnings issued

This weekend, the United Kingdom will be impacted by Storm Bert, which will bring a variety of severe weather conditions.

The second storm of the season is expected to bring powerful winds, significant rainfall, and, at times, snow and blizzard conditions.

The Met Office has issued an amber alert for snow and ice, along with several yellow alerts for rain and wind, specifically for Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to surge significantly as warmer air moves in.

Storm Bert is expected to approach from the Atlantic on Saturday after experiencing rapid intensification.

This occurs when the storm's central pressure decreases by over 24 millibars within a 24-hour period. Meteorologists often refer to this phenomenon as a "weather bomb."

Winds will pick up throughout the UK on Saturday morning, with gusts ranging from 40 to 60 mph (65 to 96 km/h) anticipated in many areas of Scotland and northern England.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for these regions, in effect from 5 AM to 7 PM on Saturday.

In areas near the coasts of the Irish Sea, winds are expected to hit speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/h).

Southern England is expected to experience strong winds that will intensify later on Saturday and continue into Sunday.

The Met Office has issued a separate yellow warning indicating that from 3 PM on Saturday until 9 PM on Sunday, there could be strong winds reaching speeds of 70 mph (113 km/h) in exposed areas along the southern coast.

These winds can lead to damage and interruptions in transportation systems and structures, and there may also be power outages.

There are forecasts for substantial rain over the weekend, and the Environment Agency has warned that this could result in some areas experiencing localized flooding.

In the southwest and central regions of England and Wales, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain. It indicates that on Saturday, many areas could experience between 50 to 75 mm (2 to 3 inches) of rain.

In certain areas like south Wales and Dartmoor, there might be rainfall amounts reaching up to 150mm (6 inches), which is equivalent to the typical rainfall for the entire month of November falling in just one day.

Gusty winds are expected to persist throughout Sunday and Monday as Storm Bert gradually moves eastward across the UK.

Although the wind and rain will create challenges for many of us this weekend, there will still be winter-related dangers for others.

This week, the UK is experiencing frigid temperatures, and as Storm Bert moves in with rain on Saturday, it will encounter Arctic air, potentially leading to heavy snowfall.

Initially, light and brief snow accumulations are expected in Northern Ireland and Wales. However, on Saturday, more significant and disruptive snowfall is forecasted for north-west England and Scotland.

A heightened amber alert for snow and ice will be in effect from 7 AM to 5 PM on Saturday in certain regions of central Scotland, including parts of the Grampians and the Highlands.

In elevated areas, you could see between 30 to 40 centimeters (12 to 16 inches) of snow.

The Met Office has issued a yellow alert for snow and rain in various regions of Scotland and northern England for Saturday. Even at lower elevations, snowfall could reach between 5 to 10 centimeters (2 to 4 inches).

Regions like the North York Moors could experience snowfall of about 15 centimeters (6 inches), along with snowstorms and significant snow accumulation.

Travel may be affected in the central part of Scotland due to significant snowfall expected for a period.

The elevated areas in northern England and Scotland can be particularly dangerous due to shifting snow, snowstorms, and foggy weather.

There may also be instances of freezing rain, which occurs when rain hits frozen surfaces and immediately turns to ice, resulting in dangerously slick conditions.

As temperatures increase, any snow or freezing rain is expected to transition to regular rain on Saturday afternoon. This could potentially result in some flooding.

This week, temperatures have ranged from 1 to 7 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than usual for this time of year. With the wind chill factor, it has felt quite cold in many areas.

However, as Storm Bert approaches, the wind will shift from chilly northern directions to warmer south-westerly winds.

As a result, on Saturday, temperatures in Wales and the central to southern parts of England are expected to reach between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius.

On Saturday, the northern areas will stay chilly, with temperatures ranging from 2 to 7 degrees Celsius. However, by Sunday, warmer conditions will reach every region.