Storm Bert: ‘worst yet to arrive’ amid gridlocked roads, cancelled flights and power cuts – as it happened
"Storm Bert's Worst Impact Still To Come"
Many homes are currently experiencing power outages, roads are submerged in water, and numerous flights have been cancelled. However, UK power officials warn that the worst impacts of Storm Bert are yet to arrive.
Strong winds reaching speeds of 70 mph are expected to impact coastal regions. As temperatures increase on Saturday, the combination of melting snow and heavy rainfall is leading to flooding, according to reports from the PA news agency.
The National Grid reported that approximately 4,000 households in the Midlands, south-west England, and south Wales are currently experiencing power outages.
Ross Easton from the Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents the UK's electricity network operators, stated:
This morning, some areas in Britain are experiencing localized power outages due to the weather. However, in the majority of the country, the extreme weather has not made a noticeable difference yet.
Meteorologists are labeling this situation a "multi-hazard event," and the most severe weather is still on its way. As a result, we have additional engineers and customer service teams on standby, and our control centers are keeping a close eye on the storm as it progresses.
The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire has been shut down due to high winds, while the A66 in County Durham is closed in both directions between the A67 and A645 because of snowy conditions.
There has been a complete halt in traffic on the M80 close to Castlecary in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
At the same time, Newcastle airport experienced flight disruptions due to significant snowfall that affected the north-east throughout the night and into Saturday morning. Some incoming flights were redirected to Belfast and Edinburgh as the airport's snow management team worked to reduce the impact on travel.
There are still six weather warnings in effect, and people in Scotland are advised to avoid traveling unless it's essential due to ongoing disruptions from Storm Bert. Meteorologists expect up to 40 centimeters of snow in the higher regions of Scotland, while central areas are under an amber alert for snow and ice until 5 PM today.
Avanti West Coast has halted its trains running between Edinburgh and Carlisle for the entire day on Saturday. The next direct train from Carlisle won't be operating until Sunday afternoon, according to reports from the PA news agency.
Further south, England is experiencing intense rainfall. The Met Office predicts that significant rain will begin overnight and continue into Sunday across the south-west and southern parts of the country, covering areas from Oxford to Truro. A yellow weather warning has been issued, effective from 6 a.m. Saturday until 11:45 p.m. Sunday, with possible rainfall totals reaching up to 70mm during this period.
The national weather service has indicated that certain areas of Dartmoor may experience rainfall amounts between 100 and 150 millimeters.
A wind alert is in effect for the coastal regions of southern England and Wales starting at 9 AM on Saturday and lasting until 9 PM on Sunday.
UK Power Networks, which manages the electricity supply in the eastern and southeastern regions of England, has advised everyone to steer clear of overhead power lines due to the strong winds.
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Storm Bert, labeled a "multi-hazard occurrence" by the Met Office, has unleashed snow, ice, heavy winds, and rain across the UK. This severe weather has led to travel delays, power outages, and flooding. Authorities in the UK have cautioned that the most intense impacts of Storm Bert are yet to arrive.
As we prepare to wrap up our live updates on Storm Bert, you can find our most recent weather news for the UK right here. Below are the main events and warnings discussed in today’s blog:
Many thousands of households are currently experiencing power outages, with around 4,000 homes impacted in the Midlands, south-west England, and south Wales, while the north-east, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire report around 27,000 customers without electricity. In Ireland, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has reported that strong winds have led to power cuts affecting 60,000 customers, especially in counties such as Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Cavan, Monaghan, Kerry, and Cork.
Flight operations at Newcastle Airport were affected as a significant snowfall blanketed the north-east overnight and continued into Saturday morning. Several incoming flights were redirected to Belfast and Edinburgh while the airport's snow management team worked to reduce the impact of the weather.
People in Scotland are being advised to avoid travel unless it is essential. Weather experts are forecasting up to 40cm of snow in the higher regions of Scotland. In response to an accident that occurred around 7am, emergency services have shut down junctions 13 and 14 of the M74. Traffic Scotland has alerted drivers to “very hazardous driving conditions” in the vicinity.
The Met Office has released an amber alert for snow and ice affecting certain areas of Scotland and northern England, indicating that there's a significant possibility that some rural areas may become isolated. Amber warnings signify that there could be risks to both safety and property.
The highest wind speed recorded during Storm Bert reached 82 mph in Capel Curig, North Wales, as reported by the Met Office. The second strongest gust on Saturday was 76 mph at The Needles, near the Isle of Wight, and Berry Head in Devon saw winds of 69 mph.
National Highways announced a “severe weather warning” on Saturday due to snow impacting Yorkshire and the north-east of England, predicting “blizzard-like conditions” and heavy snowfall lasting up to five hours that could rapidly build up across all elevations. The Met Office reported that some areas in the UK received 13 centimeters of snow by Saturday morning.
Over 100 flood warnings are currently active throughout the UK. The Environment Agency (EA) has released over a dozen red alerts, indicating that flooding is anticipated in the north-west region of England. This includes areas along the M61 corridor connecting Manchester and Preston.
The Met Office is predicting that significant rainfall will start overnight and continue into Sunday across the south-west and southern parts of England, from Oxford to Truro. A yellow warning has been issued, effective from 6am on Saturday until 11:45pm on Sunday, with the possibility of up to 70mm of rain during this period. Additionally, the national weather service mentioned that certain areas on Dartmoor might experience even heavier rainfall, potentially reaching 100-150mm.
The Met Office has warned that high winds are expected to create “hazardous coastal conditions.” A yellow wind warning remains in effect until 9 PM on Sunday for southern England and certain areas of Wales.
A man in his 60s has passed away after a tree collapsed onto his vehicle on the A34 close to Winchester, according to Hampshire police. It's not clear whether this incident was connected to Storm Bert, but authorities are looking into the matter. Police received the call at 7:47 AM regarding the southbound lane between Kings Worthy and Winnall, where they discovered the driver of a black Mercedes E350 deceased at the scene.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has released multiple flood warnings and alerts throughout the country due to the closure of bridges and roads. This weekend, Wales is predicted to receive up to 75mm of rain in many regions, with certain areas potentially seeing as much as 150mm. Coastal regions may experience wind gusts reaching 70mph.
A wind and rain yellow alert was issued for many counties in Ireland until noon on Saturday. However, from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday, a new yellow warning will take effect for six counties: Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Wicklow. Bridge Street in Killybegs, County Donegal, has experienced significant flooding due to the storm, and flooding has also been observed in Galway, Limerick, and Cork.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow weather alert for rain and snow was issued for the entire area from midnight to 11am on Saturday. Additionally, a wind alert is active until Saturday evening. Police have advised drivers to exercise caution on several roads in the Newtownards region due to adverse weather conditions. They reported that a fallen tree has obstructed both lanes on the Belfast Road and Springvale Road, which connects Ballyhalbert and Ballywalter.
The Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth in Scotland has been shut down as a safety measure in response to Storm Bert. The closure, which took effect at 10:20 AM on Saturday, came after ice was seen falling from the bridge's support cables onto the roadway. Lothian Buses, a major bus company in Scotland, suspended its services because of the storm's effects, and many train services were either cancelled or delayed.
The ferry company DFDS has suspended operations on certain routes until Monday, significantly impacting sailings between Newhaven and Dieppe, as well as those from Dover to Calais.
The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire is currently shut in both directions between junctions 1 and 2 because of high winds. National Highways is recommending that drivers take the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge instead.
Avanti West Coast, the operator for the west coast mainline, has called off all its trains north of Preston for the entire day.
UK Power Networks, which manages electricity services in eastern and southeastern England, has advised the public to keep their distance from overhead power lines due to the strong winds.
Storm Bert caused significant disruption to the schedule of domestic football, leading to the cancellation of several matches, including the Championship game between Blackburn and Portsmouth.
Tens Of Thousands In England And Wales Lose Power
According to the PA news agency, many homes are experiencing power outages, with around 4,000 homes impacted in the Midlands, south-west England, and south Wales. In the north-east, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire, approximately 27,000 customers are also without electricity.
Ross Easton from the Energy Networks Association (ENA), the organization that represents the UK's electricity grid operators, stated:
This morning, there are some localized power outages in certain areas of Britain due to the weather. However, for the majority of the country, the extreme weather hasn't really caused any major issues so far.
Weather experts are labeling this situation as a "multi-hazard event," indicating that the most severe conditions are still ahead. In response, our team has deployed additional engineers and contact center staff, and our control rooms are keeping a close eye on the storm as it unfolds.
Over 100 flood warnings are currently active in the UK. The Environment Agency (EA) has released over a dozen red alerts indicating that flooding is anticipated in the north-western part of England, particularly affecting the M61 motorway between Manchester and Preston.
The Met Office predicts that significant rainfall will begin overnight and continue into Sunday across the south-west and southern parts of England, covering areas from Oxford to Truro. A yellow weather warning has been issued, effective from 6am Saturday until 11:45pm Sunday, with expected rainfall totals of up to 70mm during this period.
According to the national weather service, certain areas of Dartmoor might experience rainfall amounts between 100 and 150mm.
The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning for southern England and parts of Wales, stating that strong winds are expected to create "hazardous coastal conditions." This warning will remain in effect until 9 PM on Sunday.
Homeowners Hit By Flooding From Storm Bert In Wales
Homeowners are dealing with flooding as Storm Bert continues to hit Wales, causing heavy rain, strong winds, and increasing water levels, according to reports from the PA news agency.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has released several flood warnings and alerts throughout the nation, leading to the closure of bridges and roads. This weekend, Wales could see up to 75mm of rainfall in many areas, and certain locations might receive as much as 150mm. Coastal regions are also anticipated to experience wind gusts reaching 70mph.
The Met Office has cautioned that heavy rainfall could lead to travel delays and flooding, especially in southern Wales. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued flood alerts for five river areas, indicating that flooding is anticipated and immediate measures should be taken.
The organization has also issued warnings for over 30 locations throughout Wales where flooding could occur. Alerts have been released concerning:
The River Loughor near Ammanford and Llandybie is impacting properties in low-lying areas of Ammanford, Llandybie, and Aberlash, including Carmarthenshire College.
The River Severn has an impact on the village of Aberbechan.
River Severn, impacting certain areas of the village of Abermule.
The River Cothi flows through the flatlands situated between Pontargothi and Pontynyswen, encompassing the Cothi Bridge hotel.
River Towy is impacting remote homes, along with agricultural land and roads, in the area between Llandeilo and Abbergwili.
The highways have experienced significant disturbances, as the M48 Severn Bridge connecting Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire is shut down in both directions between junctions 1 and 2 because of high winds.
National Highways has recommended that drivers take the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge, which has resulted in approximately four miles of traffic delays on the M4 heading west between junctions 20 and 22.
According to the PA news agency, train services have also been impacted. Specifically, the Conwy Valley line, which connects Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, along with the Heart of Wales line running from Swansea to Shropshire, will be closed throughout both Saturday and Sunday.
Irish Ferries has canceled its routes from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare, and Stena Line has suspended its services between Fishguard and Rosslare.
Wales Sees 82mph Wind Gusts From Storm Bert
The Met Office reports that wind gusts reaching 82 mph have been observed in Capel Curig, Wales.
In a recent update on X, the Met Office provided information on the highest wind gusts recorded from Storm Bert. Capel Curig experienced the strongest gust at 82 mph, while The Needles near the Isle of Wight recorded winds reaching 76 mph. Additionally, Berry Head in Devon saw gusts of 69 mph.
According to the Met Office, St Bees Head in Cumbria experienced wind gusts of 68 mph, while Tiree in Scotland's Inner Hebrides and Brizlee Wood close to Alnwick recorded gusts of 67 mph.
Tree Falls On Man; Police Investigate Storm Link
A man in his sixties has passed away after a tree collapsed onto a vehicle on the A34 close to Winchester, according to Hampshire police. It is not clear whether this incident was connected to Storm Bert, but authorities are currently looking into the cause, as reported by the PA news agency.
Emergency services were alerted at 7:47 AM to the southbound lane between Kings Worthy and Winnall, where they discovered the driver of a black Mercedes E350 deceased at the location.
A silver Skoda Kodiaq sustained some damage, but there were no other reported injuries.
Hampshire police announced that they have notified the man's family.
Extended road closures have been established, and authorities are urging anyone with information to step forward, especially those who might have useful dashcam footage.
Storm Bert has caused significant disruption to the domestic football schedule, leading to the cancellation of several matches, including Blackburn's Championship game against Portsmouth.
According to reports from the PA news agency, Bradford's League Two matchup with Accrington, as well as Fleetwood's game against MK Dons, have been canceled. Additionally, in the National League, the derby between Rochdale and Oldham, along with Halifax's clash with Sutton, has also been called off.
Blackburn scheduled a pitch inspection for 11 am, and they announced the news on their X platform, stating:
Today's match against Pompey at Ewood Park has been called off by the match official because the field is unplayable due to heavy rain.
In Scotland, the match between Rangers and Dundee United in the William Hill Premiership was delayed by 45 minutes to give the visiting team more time to reach Ibrox due to anticipated traffic issues.
Morton's championship match against Partick Thistle was canceled after a morning check on the field, and Airdrie's game against Livingston was also postponed.
In League One, the matches involving Kelty Hearts against Arbroath, Cove Rangers facing Stenhousemuir, Alloa playing Dumbarton, and Queen of the South meeting Inverness were all canceled, leaving only the game between Montrose and Annan Athletic unaffected.
The PA news agency reported that the League Two game featuring Bonnyrigg Rose against Stirling Albion, as well as Stranraer's away match at Spartans, have both been postponed.
A yellow alert for wind and rain was in effect across much of Ireland until noon on Saturday. However, a new yellow warning will start at 5 PM and last until 2 AM on Sunday for six counties: Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Wicklow, according to the PA news agency.
Bridge Street in Killybegs, County Donegal, has experienced severe flooding following the storm, and similar flooding events have been reported in Galway, Limerick, and Cork.
Rebecca Mullen from The Flour House bakery in Riverstick, Cork, shared with the PA news agency that their bakery was inundated with water during Storm Babet last October, and it experienced flooding once more following Storm Bert.
They were awarded funding from the Red Cross to assist them in recovering from the recent flood that caused significant destruction. “If it weren't for those funds, we wouldn't be in business today. It's crucial for small enterprises to endure extreme weather events,” she shared with the PA news agency.
Saturday tends to be one of our most hectic days. Unfortunately, we had to cancel a market due to bad weather, and as a result, we also had to close the shop today. This means we'll be facing some financial losses.
Today, I delivered cakes to all the customers who placed orders. Now, though, it’s time to clean up. I have to figure out how much it will cost to bring the staff back in, calculate extra hours, and determine what can be saved and what cannot.
She mentioned that small companies are facing difficulties due to increasing expenses, including the 13.5% VAT and employee wages. She stated:
Every day matters. Missing even a single day's trading could have serious consequences for us. It’s crucial that we make the most of every opportunity, as every little bit of money is essential for us to keep going.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for rain and snow was active throughout the area from midnight until 11 a.m. on Saturday. Additionally, there is a wind warning that will remain in effect until Saturday evening.
"Worst Of Storm Bert Still To Come: Chaos Hits"
Many homes are currently without electricity, roads are submerged, and flights have been called off. However, UK power officials warn that the most severe impacts of Storm Bert are yet to arrive.
Strong winds reaching speeds of 70 mph are expected to hit coastal regions, and with temperatures increasing on Saturday, the combination of melting snow and heavy rainfall is leading to flooding, according to reports from the PA news agency.
The National Grid reported that approximately 4,000 households in the Midlands, southwest England, and south Wales are currently experiencing power outages.
Ross Easton from the Energy Networks Association (ENA), the organization that represents power network operators in the UK, stated:
This morning, some areas in Britain are experiencing localized power outages due to the weather. However, in general, most regions have not yet felt major effects from the severe conditions.
Weather experts are calling this a "multi-hazard event," indicating that the worst conditions are still on their way. In response, we have additional engineers and customer service teams on standby, and our control rooms are keeping a close watch on the storm as it unfolds.
The M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire was shut down due to high winds, while the A66 in County Durham was also closed in both directions between the A67 and A645 because of snowfall.
Traffic has come to a halt on the M80 close to Castlecary in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.
At the same time, Newcastle airport experienced flight disruptions due to significant snowfall that affected the north-east overnight and continued into Saturday morning. As a result, some incoming flights were redirected to Belfast and Edinburgh while the airport's snow management team worked to reduce the impact on operations.
There are still six weather warnings active, and people in Scotland are advised to avoid traveling unless it is essential, as Storm Bert continues to disrupt travel throughout the region. Meteorologists forecast that some high-altitude areas in Scotland could see up to 40 centimeters of snow. Central parts of the country are under an amber alert for snow and ice until 5 PM today.
Avanti West Coast has announced the cancellation of its trains between Edinburgh and Carlisle for the entire day on Saturday. The next direct train from Carlisle won't be available until Sunday afternoon, according to the PA news agency.
In the southern regions, England is experiencing significant rainfall. The Met Office predicts intense rain to start overnight and continue through Sunday, particularly impacting the south-west and southern parts of the country, from Oxford to Truro. A yellow weather warning has been issued, effective from 6am on Saturday until 11:45pm on Sunday, during which as much as 70mm of rain may accumulate.
According to the national weather service, certain areas of Dartmoor may experience rainfall amounts ranging from 100 to 150mm.
A wind advisory is in effect for the coastal regions of southern England and Wales starting at 9 AM on Saturday and lasting until 9 PM on Sunday.
UK Power Networks, which manages electricity in the eastern and southeastern regions of England, has advised the public to avoid approaching overhead power lines during the strong winds.
One of the largest bus companies in Scotland has temporarily suspended its operations because of the effects of Storm Bert.
Lothian Buses, responsible for most of the bus routes in Edinburgh along with services in East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian, announced that they had stopped bus operations due to safety issues.
In a recent post on X, the company stated:
Because of bad weather conditions affecting the transportation network, buses cannot proceed for safety reasons.
We truly apologize for any trouble this may have caused and appreciate your understanding as our team evaluates the routes.
Previously, we shared information about the flood warnings and alerts issued throughout England, along with a link to a live map on Gov.uk for the latest updates.
Natural Resources Wales has created an interactive map that displays 31 flood alerts and one flood warning for the River Loughor at Ammanford and Llandybie.
Currently, there are six flood alerts and one flood warning (for the Churchill Barriers) in Scotland, as reported by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa). For real-time updates, you can visit this link.
The Irish weather agency, Met Éireann, has issued a yellow wind alert for the areas of Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Wicklow. Additionally, there's a yellow gale warning in effect for all coastal regions of Ireland and the Irish Sea. You can find the latest updates on all these warnings here.
The Met Office has also released a yellow wind warning for Northern Ireland. According to Belfast Live, there are reports of “serious flooding” throughout the region, based on statements from West Belfast MLA, Danny Baker.
Twinbrook, located near Aspen, is completely closed off, and the intersection at Mckinstry/4 Laner/Stewartstown Road is now extremely hazardous.
Colin Connect is experiencing significant flooding, making the roads nearly impossible to navigate. The Michael Ferguson Roundabout, Dunmurry Lane, and the area at the bottom of Suffolk are also underwater.
Reports are coming in from all directions, and the effects are so significant that it could take a while to recover. Weather alerts are still active, so please stay safe.
Check out these recent photos capturing scenes from across the nation:
Scots are being advised to avoid travel unless it's essential.
As we mentioned earlier, significant highways have been shut down due to several accidents, and train and ferry services have been suspended because of severe winds, heavy rainfall, snow, and icy conditions.
Emergency responders shut down junctions 13 and 14 of the M74 after an accident occurred at approximately 7 a.m.
Traffic Scotland has issued a warning about very dangerous driving conditions in the region.
The Meteorological Office states:
On Saturday morning, a large amount of snow will move towards the northeast, leading to considerable snowfall in several regions.
Snowfall of 10-20 cm is expected at elevations typically above 200 meters, and there could be up to 20-40 cm of snow on hills that are above 400 meters.
On Saturday afternoon, snow is expected to change to rain, although some areas might first experience a brief period of freezing rain, increasing the risk of ice.
Increasing winds will cause the snow on the ground to shift, making travel challenging on elevated roads. There's also a chance of power outages as a result.
It is expected that the snow will melt quickly on Saturday night as warmer air arrives.
The Queensferry Crossing, which spans the Firth of Forth in Scotland, has been shut down as a safety measure because of Storm Bert.
As reported by The Herald, the closure of the crossing at 10:20 AM was prompted by the sighting of ice dropping from the bridge's support cables onto the road below. The article mentioned that BEAR Scotland, the company responsible for road maintenance and management, redirected drivers to take the Forth Bridge instead.
Dave Bishop, who manages the south-east unit for BEAR Scotland, shared his insights with the publication:
A detour using the Forth Road Bridge is now being set up, and we anticipate that traffic will be flowing again shortly. Motorists are encouraged to follow the Red X signs for their safety, as not doing so may lead to longer delays before the diversion is in place.
At 10:35 AM, Traffic Scotland shared a message on X stating:
The M90 is shut down in both directions for safety concerns.
Traffic will be redirected to the Forth Road Bridge. Expect delays as vehicles slow down, and there may be temporary stops in place to facilitate the detour.
At 11:35 AM, it announced that the northbound M80 at junction seven was blocked because two heavy goods vehicles had lost their grip on the road. The update noted that traffic was being stopped while snowplows and gritters were working on the area.
Our photography team has shared these images that arrived this morning via the news wires:
A Championship football game in Lancashire has been delayed because of heavy rainfall, according to the PA news agency.
Blackburn Rovers were scheduled to play Portsmouth at Ewood Park at 3 PM on Saturday; however, the game has been postponed to a later date.
In a message shared on X, Blackburn Rovers announced:
Today's game against Portsmouth at Ewood Park has been postponed by the match official because the field is unplayable due to heavy rain.
We will share information about the rescheduled match soon.
Both Manchester Airport and Edinburgh Airport have informed the PA news agency that they do not expect any disturbances caused by Storm Bert.
A representative from Manchester Airport stated:
If there are strong winds while planes are landing, they may have to circle around before landing again, but we don't expect any interruptions.
49 Flood Warnings Issued Across England
The Gov.uk website reports that there are currently 49 flood alerts issued in England, along with one flood warning.
Flood alerts indicate that flooding could occur, while a flood warning signifies that flooding is likely to happen. Currently, there is a flood warning for the rivers in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire. According to Gov.uk, the heavy rainfall from Storm Bert is predicted to lead to flooding in those regions starting at 11 am on Saturday morning.
The regions that face the greatest danger include the River Hyndburn, Woodnook and Broad Oak Water, Antley Syke, Pleck, Hynburn, Tinker, Lottice, and Whiteash Brooks in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle. This also includes places like Dunnyshop, Baxenden, Lower Fold, Peel Bank, Barnfield, and Little Moor End.
The forecast indicates that the weather is likely to get better later today, and there shouldn’t be any more flooding anticipated.
You can find a real-time flood map on the Gov.uk website.
Here are a few images related to Storm Bert that have appeared in the news over the past 24 hours:
Dublin airport has announced that although the weather is rainy and blustery, flights are operating smoothly.
In a social media update at 10 AM on Saturday, Dublin Airport announced that only a “very small number” of departing flights were delayed because of windy weather, but there had been no cancellations up to that point.
Travelers were encouraged to get in touch with their airline for the latest information on particular flights.
