Britain has been slapped with a staggering seven weather warnings by the Met Office on Saturday as the country’s second storm of the season sweeps in.
Storm Bert is set to wreak havoc across the UK – with forecasters issuing two yellow wind warnings, two yellow rain and snow warnings, two yellow rain warnings and one amber snow and ice warning.
Four yellow snow and ice warnings look set to subside by midday today – but Saturday is set to see disruption from the north of Scotland to the southern tip of England.
Of Saturday’s seven alerts, five are associated with Storm Bert, the Met Office says – with the worst effects likely to take hold in central Scotland as public transport delays, road travel disruption, power cuts and more expected to strike.
Britain has been slapped with a staggering seven weather warnings by the Met Office
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The amber warning is in place from tomorrow morning until 5pm tomorrow evening – while the largest yellow wind warning will see Storm Bert whip swathes of Britain with “strong winds” from 5am to 7pm.
Freezing temperatures have already plunged to -6C in parts of Scotland, with forecasters warning of hazardous conditions nationwide.
While a yellow warning for snow remains in place for southwest England, including Plymouth and Exeter, with 5-10cm predicted on higher parts of Dartmoor.
Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick said: “Through into Friday… snow showers are set to continue mainly around coastal areas though once again still a few feeding inland at times.”
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Saturday is set to see disruption and freezing temperatures from the north of Scotland to the southern tip of England
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Commuters and drivers alike are set to face significant travel disruption
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The warnings indicate severe weather conditions will persist through the weekend as Storm Bert intensifies.
Commuters face significant travel disruption, with National Rail warning of four days of delays as heavy snow continues through the weekend.
More than 114 schools in Scotland have already closed, including Inverness Royal Academy where exams had to be rescheduled – and further south, 89 schools have shut in Devon, 18 in Dorset and 60 in Cornwall.
In Wales, approximately 30 schools have closed across Conwy, Denbighshire and Wrexham.
Stagecoach Highland services in Inverness have been suspended due to treacherous road conditions, while Stagecoach Bluebird services in Moray face significant disruption.
RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson has urged motorists to take extra care
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Southern and western parts of the UK are expected to see particularly heavy rainfall, with over 100mm predicted on higher ground.
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said: “Storm Bert marks a shift to much milder air and wintry hazards will gradually diminish through the weekend, but heavy snowfall is expected across parts of northern England and Scotland for a time on Saturday.”
He warned: “Heavy rain through Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern and western parts of the UK, will also bring impacts for some with a number of warnings in place.”
The rapid melting of snow combined with strong winds could exacerbate flooding risks and travel disruption.
RAC spokeswoman Alice Simpson urged motorists to take extra care, stating: “The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with some of the worst road conditions we’ve seen all year.”
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