Storm Bert latest: ‘Multi-hazard weather event’ hits UK and Ireland – snow piles up ‘thick and fast’ | UK News

Storm Bert has begun to make an impact across the UK, with snowfall blocking roads and people warning that heavy rain and winds could cause further disruption to travel.

Weather warnings and 12 flood warnings have been issued.

Yellow wind, rain and snow warnings cover much of the rest of the country today and tomorrow.

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said parts of northern England and Scotland could see heavy snow for two to four hours this morning.

“This snow will accumulate thick and fast, with 5 to 10 cm in the lower levels and 20 to 40 cm in the hills, accompanied by strong winds,” he warned.

“You can expect blizzards in the hills in northern England and Scotland, challenging conditions for travel and crossing over hills, as well as the risk of power outages due to snow accumulating on power lines.

“All in all, it’s an event with a lot of danger going into Saturday morning.”

Temperatures will rise rapidly as the storm brings with it mild air from the Atlantic, leading to a “rapid melt” in the afternoon, he said.

“Melting snow and heavy rain may lead to localized flooding in some places, but the wettest spots will be Wales in the South West, particularly over south-facing hills, which is where we are likely to see storms and certainly the risk of getting hit by rain as well as wind.” added Mr. McGivern.

Over the weekend, Wales and the South West face the risk of seeing 75mm of rain across the board, with potentially more than 100mm in the higher reaches of South Wales and Dartmoor.