Met Office names Storm Bert as wind warning issued for parts of North East this weekend

Catherine Addison-Swan

21 November 2024 at 7:19 am·3-min read

The Met Office weather map is covered in snow, ice and wind warnings this weekend — -Credit: (Image: Met Office)

The Met Office has named its second storm of the 2024/25 season, with Storm Bert prompting weather warnings to be issued as strong winds sweep across parts of the UK this weekend.

A yellow wind warning has been put in place from 5am until 7pm on Saturday, November 23, affecting some coastal parts of the North East including seaside areas of Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland. Gusts of 50-60mph are expected in many parts of the warning area and could reach 70mph along the coast, which are likely to cause spray and large waves that will affect coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities, the Met Office warned.

Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are also expected as Storm Bert hits, with anyone planning journeys on Saturday urged to check travel conditions and timetables in order to amend plans if necessary. The wind warning will be in force alongside a snow and rain warning covering the whole North East region from 4am on Saturday until 9am on Sunday as the wintry weather persists.

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."

He added: "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 southwest England."

The arrival of Storm Bert will follow yet more wintry conditions for the North East coast before the end of the week, with the Met Office having issued a separate snow and ice warning from midday on Thursday and remain in place until 10am on Friday. The warning covers coastal towns and villages in the region from the likes of Seahouses and Blyth down to Seaham and Hartlepool, with drivers as well as train and bus services in the area likely to be hit by delays.

Snowfall of 2-5cm is possible on Thursday evening and overnight, the Met Office said, with icy stretches expected to form as temperatures drop below freezing. Those planning to travel on Thursday evening or Friday morning are advised to leave more time to reach their destinations, and check public transport timetables or road conditions to amend plans if necessary.

At the weekend, heavy snow on Saturday followed by a rapid thaw and subsequent rain on Saturday night could cause travel delays, flooding and power cuts, forecasters warned. The Met Office explained: "Outbreaks of rain will spread north-eastwards 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 5-10cm accumulating in places, especially the Vale of York, before turning back to rain."

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