Every word Met Office has said as Storm Bert to batter Nottinghamshire with snow, rain and winds

Sam Cooper
·4-min read
A general view of flooding in Church Gate, Colston Bassett.
-Credit: (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)


As snow begins to thaw across Nottinghamshire, the Met Office has issued a 29-hour weather warning with Storm Bert due to batter the UK. A yellow warning for snow and rain comes into effect at 4am on Saturday, November 23 and remains in place until 9am on Sunday, November 24.

The Met Office has warned that heavy snow could fall in some parts of the county and over higher ground early on Saturday before a 'rapid thaw' and heavy rain through the rest of the day. Storm Bert is also expected to bring a sharp rise in temperatures from around 2C at 8am on Saturday morning to around 14C by 9pm.

Nottingham City Council has activated its "Severe Weather Emergency Protocol" ahead of the second named storm of the season hitting the UK. The Met Office has warned that 'there is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life and of wind speeds of up to 46mph on Saturday afternoon.

Met Office East Midlands forecast

Friday, November 22 day

"Cold start inland, with early cloud and any isolated wintry showers easing away. Then fine and dry for most with sunny spells and light winds but staying rather cold. Cloudier across northwestern hills with further isolated wintry showers. Maximum temperature 5 °C."

Friday, November 22 night

"Any showers fading with clear spells and light winds overnight. Cold, with a widespread frost. Cloud thickening and winds strengthening, with rain and hill snow spreading northeast by dawn. Minimum temperature -3 °C."

Saturday, November 23

"Any early snow soon turning to rain, with a rapid thaw following. Then much milder, with occasionally heavy rain persisting for much of the day. Windy throughout, with strong gusts. Maximum temperature 13 °C."

Outlook for Sunday, November 24 until Tuesday, November 26

"Windy and mild again Sunday, with further outbreaks of rain. Winds gradually easing Monday and Tuesday, with further showers, and temperatures near or just below normal."

Met Office weather warning

"Heavy snow on Saturday, followed by a rapid thaw and subsequent rain on Saturday night, may cause some disruption."

What should I expect?

  • "There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected

  • "There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off

  • "There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings

  • "Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services

  • "Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures

  • "There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life

  • "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."

Further detail

"Outbreaks of rain will spread northeastwards on Saturday, preceded by a spell of snow across parts of northern England and Scotland. Whilst snow will become increasingly confined to higher elevations with time, there is the chance of a transient period of snow to low levels in some areas, with perhaps as much as 5-10 cm accumulating in places, especially the Vale of York, before turning back to rain. Temporary snow accumulations of 10-20 cm are possible on ground above 150m, with perhaps as much as 20-40 cm above 300m.

"In conjunction with strengthening winds, difficult driving conditions are likely, especially over higher level routes, with possibly some interruptions to power supplies. In addition, the rapid thaw of lying snow as milder air arrives, with perhaps an additional 20-40 mm of rain in some upland areas during Saturday night, will lead to a greater likelihood of rainfall impacts later in the period.

What should I do?

"Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous, so to keep yourself and others safe: plan your route, checking for delays and road closures, amending your travel plans if necessary; if driving, leave more time to prepare and check your car before setting off; make sure you have essentials packed in your car in the event of any delays (warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de-icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).

"People cope better when they have prepared in advance for the risk of power cuts or being cut off from services and amenities due to the snow. It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

"Check if your property could be at risk of flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit.

"Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area."

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