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Storm Bert live: Schools closed as frozen Britain covered by snow before rain deluge arrives this weekend

Parts of the country are bracing for power cuts as charities and energy companies warn homeowners to stay warm as temperatures drop to freezing

Simon Calder,Namita Singh,Jabed Ahmed
Friday 22 November 2024 10:15 GMT
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UK braces for ‘disruptive snow’, ice and cold temperatures

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Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight ahead of a frosty and icy morning on Friday and the arrival of Storm Bert on the weekend.

The storm is set 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.

Overnight on Thursday, the Met Office said much of the UK experienced temperatures near freezing, with the mercury falling as low as minus 6C at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland.

The forecasting body said many will wake up to a frost with icy surfaces in places with several yellow warnings for snow and ice in place across the UK until 10am on Friday.

Commuters can expect significant travel disruption, with National Rail predicting four days of delays as heavy snow continues through the weekend. 

The wintry weather affected education, with dozens of schools closed across the country.

Britons wake from chilly night to warnings of snow and ice

Many Britons again faced freezing temperatures overnight ahead of a frosty and icy morning today and the arrival of Storm Bert on the weekend.

The storm is set to reach the UK tomorrow 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.

Overnight, the Met Office said much of the UK experienced temperatures near freezing, with the mercury falling as low as -6C at Tulloch Bridge in Scotland.

A sign displays a warning at the side of the A9 near Aviemore, Scotland
A sign displays a warning at the side of the A9 near Aviemore, Scotland (Reuters)

The forecasting body said many will wake up to a frost with icy surfaces in places with several yellow warnings for snow and ice in place across the UK until 10am on today.

One covering parts of Scotland is in effect until midday before a slew of further yellow alerts for wind, rain and snow go live on Saturday.

Namita Singh22 November 2024 07:18

Chance of power cuts, mobile phone outages, and travel cancellations for northern Scotland

People in northern Scotland are being warned of a small chance of power cuts and mobile phone outages, as well as the potential for cancelled rail and air travel, due to the severe weather.

Under one of multiple yellow warnings issued by the Met Office for various parts of the UK, rural communities also face warnings of a “slight chance” they will be cut off.

The weather bureau is also warning residents in that region of risks of slips and falls on icy surfaces, as well as traffic disruptions due to Storm Bert moving over the UK through the coming days.

“There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel,” the Met Office says.

Holly Evans22 November 2024 07:00

UK weather: Storm Bert to bring snow, flooding and 70mph winds this weekend

Britain is facing more snow, heavy rain and strong winds this weekend as Storm Bert sweeps across the country, with the Met Office warning that travel disruption and flooding are likely.

Weather warnings are in place every day until Sunday – including seven on Saturday – as the country braces for more wintry weather after temperatures plummeted earlier in the week.

An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force between 7am and 5pm on Saturday in an area north of Scotland’s central belt, where 10-20cm is likely on ground above 200 metres and potentially as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400 metres.

Read the full article here:

Storm Bert to bring snow, flooding and gusts up to 70mph winds this weekend

Power cuts and travel disruption likely and there’s a good chance some rural communities could be cut off, forecaster warns

Holly Evans22 November 2024 06:00

In pictures: Heavy snow seen across Scotland and northern England

A man clears snow at the Church of Scotland in Pitlochry, Scotland
A man clears snow at the Church of Scotland in Pitlochry, Scotland (REUTERS)
A car drives through the snow in Aviemore, Scotland
A car drives through the snow in Aviemore, Scotland (REUTERS)
A person sledges down a hill in a canoe near Dorchester
A person sledges down a hill in a canoe near Dorchester (Getty Images)
Holly Evans22 November 2024 04:00

Wintry weather sees schools shut

Hundreds of schools are closed amid snowy conditions ahead of disruption forecast for the weekend as Storm Bert sweeps in.

A Met Office yellow warning of snow and ice is in place across northern Scotland until midday on Thursday, with 2-5cm of snow expected fairly widely.

A new alert has now been issued warning of snow and ice for much of Scotland, northern England and parts of western and eastern England and Wales between midday on Thursday and 10am on Friday.

Read the full article here:

Wintry weather sees schools shut as more disruption forecast with Storm Bert

The Met Office said the storm will bring ‘heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow’ over the weekend.

Holly Evans22 November 2024 02:00

Met Office issues danger to life warning as more snow forecast over weekend

Heavy snow will continue to fall over the weekend as the Met Office warned of a danger to life in some parts of the country.

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.

The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings for the coming days, with residents urged to be prepared for power cuts as they are warned flooding from heavy rain could be pose a danger to life on Saturday night.

Read the full article here:

Met Office issues danger to life warning as more snow forecast over weekend

Warning that snow turning to heavy rain on Saturday night cause pose danger to life

Holly Evans22 November 2024 00:00

Drivers have been urged to be careful on the roads

The RAC urged people to take care on the roads.

RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: “The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions we’ve seen all year.

“With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well as ice forms on untreated surfaces.”

Holly Evans21 November 2024 23:00

UK weather: Storm Bert to bring snow, flooding and 70mph winds this weekend

Britain is facing more snow, heavy rain and strong winds this weekend as Storm Bert sweeps across the country, with the Met Office warning that travel disruption and flooding are likely.

Weather warnings are in place every day until Sunday – including seven on Saturday – as the country braces for more wintry weather after temperatures plummeted earlier in the week.

An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force between 7am and 5pm on Saturday in an area north of Scotland’s central belt, where 10-20cm is likely on ground above 200 metres and potentially as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400 metres.

Read the full article here:

Storm Bert to bring snow, flooding and gusts up to 70mph winds this weekend

Power cuts and travel disruption likely and there’s a good chance some rural communities could be cut off, forecaster warns

Holly Evans21 November 2024 22:00

Met Office warn rainfall in excess of 100mm is possible

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, especially over higher ground, and warnings are in place.

“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.

“We expect 50-75mm of rainfall quite widely within the warning areas, but in excess of 100mm is possible over high ground in parts of Wales and south-west England.

“In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend and periods of strong winds are likely to exacerbate impacts and bring the potential for travel disruption, as well as flooding for some.”

Holly Evans21 November 2024 21:00

Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow?

Temperatures are dropping across the UK with snow weather warnings in place for parts of the country.

Temperatures dropped to minus 7.8C in Tulloch Bridge, Scotland, in the early hours of Monday, which is the lowest temperature the UK has seen since last winter.

Cold temperatures, ice and further snow feature on the forecast for the coming days in what the Met Office deemed is the country’s “first taste of winter”. With this news, many will be thinking about how this chilly weather may affect our pets.

It’s important to prepare our dogs, as well as ourselves, for this forecast.

Can and should you walk your dogs in the snow?

Tips for how to look after your pets during the cold weather

Holly Evans21 November 2024 20:00

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