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Storm Bert brings amber warnings and travel disruption Storm Bert hits UK causing amber warnings
(about 1 hour later)
BBC Weather's Darren Bett explains how Storm Bert will hit the UKBBC Weather's Darren Bett explains how Storm Bert will hit the UK
Storm Bert has begun to make an impact with snow closing roads, while strong rains and winds are expected to cause further travel disruption and potential flooding. Storm Bert is hitting the UK with snow, heavy rain and strong winds causing travel disruption on roads and railways.
There is an amber warning for snow in Scotland and another for snow and ice in north-east England on Saturday.There is an amber warning for snow in Scotland and another for snow and ice in north-east England on Saturday.
A futher six yellow warnings for rain and wind are in place across the UK. The Met Office is calling Storm Bert a "multi-hazard weather event".A futher six yellow warnings for rain and wind are in place across the UK. The Met Office is calling Storm Bert a "multi-hazard weather event".
Rail companies urged passengers to avoid travelling to certain areas, while a number of roads have been closed.Rail companies urged passengers to avoid travelling to certain areas, while a number of roads have been closed.
Storm Bert follows a cold snap this week which caused some schools to close in several parts of the UK. An amber warning means there is an increased risk to life and property, as well as the likelihood of severe weather causing travel delays, road closures and power cuts.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: "Because of the different nature of the weather across the UK, people really need to have an idea of what the forecast is for them specifically. A yellow warning is mainly issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low level impacts.
"Further south it's wind and rain, further north it's snow then rain and wind. So it really depends on where you are in the UK." Areas in Scotland and north-east England will be most affected by snow, while strong winds will be felt the most in Wales and the north and south-east of England. Heavy rainfall is expected across the UK.
The storm follows a cold snap this week, which caused some schools to close in several parts of the UK.
Higher ground in northern England and the hills of Scotland could get 20-40cm of snow, posing the risk of significant disruption on roads.
But it is affecting lower areas too. There has already been snowfall in north-east England and Scotland.
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National Highways issued a severe weather alert for snow on roads in Yorkshire and north-east England as it expects blizzard conditions. It says snow is set to "accumulate quickly at all levels".
Parts of several A-roads in England are closed due to snow, National Highways says, with traffic delays expected.
Snow coming down in wet, chunky flakes is also likely to cause power cuts as it sticks to power cables and tree branches, which may snap under the extra weight.
Across south-west England and Wales, a Met Office yellow warning for rain says that, throughout Saturday, 50-75mm (2-3in) of rain could fall widely.Across south-west England and Wales, a Met Office yellow warning for rain says that, throughout Saturday, 50-75mm (2-3in) of rain could fall widely.
The heaviest and most persistent rain will fall in south Wales and south-west England, where there could be as much as 150mm (6in) - which would be the whole of November's average rainfall in just a day.The heaviest and most persistent rain will fall in south Wales and south-west England, where there could be as much as 150mm (6in) - which would be the whole of November's average rainfall in just a day.
In Yorkshire, the A628 remained closed overnight in both directions between the Hollingworth and Flouch due to snow, National Highways said. Incessant rain is expected to last for many hours, with some flooding likely later today and into Sunday.
The A66 Trans-Pennine route was also closed between the A6 and the M6 (J40). A period of strong winds is also likely on Saturday, with peak gusts of up to 70mph felt across western coasts of the UK. Gusts have already been recorded reaching 67mph in Scilly and Devon.
An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force between 07:00 GMT and 17:00 on Saturday in areas across Scotland, where potentiall 20-40cm could fall on higher ground. Gales are forecast to spread inland, affecting many areas. These winds will be strong enough to bring down some tree branches.
Weather warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire. National Highways says the Severn Bridge (M48) - connecting Gloucestershire and south Wales - has been closed in both driections due to the strong winds.
Ferry operator CalMac - which serves the west coast of Scotland - has cancelled several services on Saturday with disruption expected on many other services. Ferry companies have also been affected. Operator CalMac - which serves the west coast of Scotland - has cancelled several services on Saturday.
P&O Ferries said it had cancelled the 04:00 ferry between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland's south west on Saturday. P&O Ferries said it had also cancelled a service.
A second amber warning will be in place between 07:00 and 12:00 on Saturday, covering parts of Yorkshire and the north-east of England. Rail operators have also announced schedule changes due to Storm Bert.
Over the weekend, Wales and south-west England are at risk of seeing 75mm of rain widely, and potentially more than 100mm over the higher parts of south Wales and Dartmoor. TransPennine Express "strongly" urged customers not to travel north of Carlisle on Saturday while Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston.
Strong winds are expected on the south coast of England, with gusts of more than 70mph in places. In Scotland, there will be speed restrictions on several lines covering the Highlands and the Glasgow South Western Line.
Rain and snow warnings cover northern England from 04:00 to 09:00 and Northern Ireland until 11:00 on Saturday. ScotRail has withdrawn multiple services and South Western Rail asked passengers to only travel west of Basingstoke if their journeys are essential.
A wind warning also covers coastal areas of southern England from 15:00 until 21:00 on Saturday.
Rail companies issued announcements of service changes ahead of the weekend.
In Scotland, there will be speed restrictions on several lines covering the Highlands, the far north and west coast lines including the Glasgow South Western Line.
ScotRail has withdrawn services from Inverness to Elgin, Aberdeen to Inverurie, and Glasgow Queen Street to Oban while trains from Glasgow Central to Carlisle will terminate at Dumfries.
South Western Rail (SWR) asked passengers to only travel west of Basingstoke if their journeys are essential.
TransPennine Express "strongly" urged customers not to travel north of Carlisle on Saturday while Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston - including Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
UK airports are not anticipating disruption.
Parts of England and Wales will snap out of the cold on Saturday, with elsewhere warming up on SundayParts of England and Wales will snap out of the cold on Saturday, with elsewhere warming up on Sunday
The Met Office has issued a number of weather warning for Saturday and Sunday:The Met Office has issued a number of weather warning for Saturday and Sunday:
An amber warning for snow and ice for parts of of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Angus from 07:00 until 17:00 on SaturdayAn amber warning for snow and ice for parts of of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Angus from 07:00 until 17:00 on Saturday
An amber warning for snow for parts of north-east and north-west England, and parts of the Scottish borders and south-west Scotland, from 07:00 until 12:00 on SaturdayAn amber warning for snow for parts of north-east and north-west England, and parts of the Scottish borders and south-west Scotland, from 07:00 until 12:00 on Saturday
A yellow warning for rain and snow covering Northern Ireland from midnight until 11:00 on SaturdayA yellow warning for rain and snow covering Northern Ireland from midnight until 11:00 on Saturday
A yellow warning for rain for all of Wales from 06:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Sunday A yellow warning for rain for all of Wales and the West Midlands from 06:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Sunday
A yellow warning of rain for the south-west of England and parts of the Midlands from 06:00 on Saturday until 23:45 on Sunday
A yellow warning for rain and snow for most of northern England and Scotland from 04:00 on Saturday until 09:00 on SundayA yellow warning for rain and snow for most of northern England and Scotland from 04:00 on Saturday until 09:00 on Sunday
A yellow warning for wind for much of the western coast of Scotland and north-west England, as well as north Wales and northern Ireland from 05:00 to 19:00 GMT on SaturdayA yellow warning for wind for much of the western coast of Scotland and north-west England, as well as north Wales and northern Ireland from 05:00 to 19:00 GMT on Saturday
A yellow warning for wind for the eastern coast of Scotland and north-east England from 05:00 to 19:00 GMT on SaturdayA yellow warning for wind for the eastern coast of Scotland and north-east England from 05:00 to 19:00 GMT on Saturday
A yellow warning for wind for the south-west of England and south coast from 15:00 on Saturday until 21:00 on SundayA yellow warning for wind for the south-west of England and south coast from 15:00 on Saturday until 21:00 on Sunday
Met Eireann, Ireland's meteorological service, has issued a rare red warning for heavy rain in two areas of the nation this weekend.
The warning says severe flooding, damage to homes and businesses, and "treacherous" travelling conditions are likely in Cork and Galway on Saturday. Ireland's power grid operator says 60,000 homes and businesses are without power.
An amber cold health alert is also in place for much of England until 18:00 on Saturday.An amber cold health alert is also in place for much of England until 18:00 on Saturday.
It means there is an increased health risk to vulnerable people, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to check on those who may be at risk.It means there is an increased health risk to vulnerable people, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged people to check on those who may be at risk.
Some people may be eligible for cold weather payments - a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills during times of exceptionally cold weather.Some people may be eligible for cold weather payments - a government benefit top-up to help with fuel bills during times of exceptionally cold weather.
Get in touchGet in touch
How have you been affected by the snow and ice?How have you been affected by the snow and ice?