The UK is set for a weekend of extreme weather, with freezing temperatures continuing until Storm Bert arrives on Saturday. Scotland experienced temperatures as low as -6°C (21.2°F) on Friday morning, while weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place across much of the country.
Storm Bert is expected to bring milder temperatures, but with it, high winds and heavy rain. Gusts of 40-60mph (65-96km/h) are forecast for Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales, and northern England, along with the risk of localised flooding. An amber warning has been issued for heavy snow and ice in central Scotland, while yellow warnings for rain and wind are in effect for much of the UK.
Friday morning will see temperatures between -2°C and 2°C, with highs not exceeding 6°C. However, snow is expected to fall across northern and western Scotland, with a particularly cold night ahead—temperatures in north-east Scotland could drop as low as -12°C.
Storm Bert’s arrival on Saturday will bring a rise in temperatures across southern England and Wales, reaching up to 12-15°C, but heavy rain is expected to cause disruption. The Met Office has warned that between 50-75mm (2-3in) of rain could fall, with up to 125mm (5in) possible in parts of south Wales and Dartmoor, equivalent to the entire average rainfall for November in just one day.
Storm Bert will bring significant snow and blizzards to northern England and Scotland, while strong winds could cause damage to infrastructure and power cuts. The storm is expected to move slowly eastward, with winds persisting into Sunday and Monday. Network Rail is advising passengers to check travel plans in advance.
An amber warning for heavy snow is in effect for parts of Scotland, with up to 40cm of snow likely on higher ground. Authorities are advising against travel in affected areas, particularly in Scotland, where heavy snowfall is expected.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber cold health alert, advising people to check on vulnerable individuals during the cold weather. The cold has already led to school closures, with over 100 schools in the Scottish Highlands and 30 in north Wales shut, while nearly 200 schools in Devon and Cornwall were either closed or partially closed due to snow.
This week, Scotland recorded its coldest early winter temperature since 1998, with Braemar in Aberdeenshire reaching a low of -11.2°C.