Storm Bert 'triple threat' warning as UK set to be battered by rain, wind and snow

Severe Weather Warnings have been issued across the UK for Saturday and Sunday as Storm Bert heads towards the country. The weather system will bring heavy rain and snow, together with strong winds to large swathes of the country, including Somerset.

Storm Bert is also expected to bring heavy rain through Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern and western parts of the UK. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain from 6am tomorrow, Saturday, November 23, until 11.45pm on Sunday, November 24, which covers the whole of the county.

A second yellow weather warning for wind covering southern parts of Somerset is in place from 3pm tomorrow (Saturday, November 23) until 9pm on Sunday. The Exeter-based forecaster said that conditions in coastal areas are likely to become dangerous as strong winds hit. Some exposed headlands could see gales of speeds of up to 70mph.

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Jason Kelly is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist and said: “Storm Bert starts to arrive overnight on Friday and into Saturday, initially over Northern Ireland. As we go through the first part of Saturday morning, it will start to show its hand across Scotland, north Wales and northern England, with the potential for some heavy snowfall, especially over higher ground. Warnings are in place, including an amber warning for snow and ice for parts of Scotland.”

He added: “Heavy rainfall will affect much of the UK this weekend. Rain is expected to develop during Saturday morning across southwest and southern England, becoming particularly heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday.

“Accumulations of 50-75 mm are expected to fall fairly widely during this time. There is a chance that some places over Dartmoor for example, could see 100-150 mm. In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend may bring flooding for some.”

Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain, and warnings are in place in both the south and north. Gusts could peak at 50-60 mph in many parts of the warning areas, and could even reach in excess of 70 mph along some exposed coasts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.

Jason added: “Storm Bert is what we call a ‘multi-hazard event’, bringing snow, rain and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend. Multiple National Severe Weather Warnings are in place and will be added to and amended over the weekend. It’s possible this may be at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”

The Met Office added: “Storm Bert is quite slow moving and only really clears from Monday. The start of the week will continue to be unsettled, with strong winds and showers in the forecast. Although temperatures will be around average for most places, strong winds mean it will feel rather cold.

“Looking further ahead, there are indications we could see a brief return to colder conditions although for many, it will be drier than of late. How long the more settled conditons last is uncertain, with rain probably returning to western areas at least by the end of the week.”

SOUTH WEST FORECAST

Today:

Wintry showers bring the risk of icy stretches during the morning, mainly across western counties, before gradually fading during the day. Sunny spells for many in the afternoon. A cold day, though winds easing later. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Tonight:

A dry but chilly evening. Cloud building as Storm Bert arrives overnight, with rain becoming widespread, heavy and persistent. Winds strengthening again with gales along coasts and over hills. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Saturday:

Storm Bert bringing a widely unsettled and potentially disruptive day with heavy, persistent rain and gales, severe along coasts. Turning noticeably milder, resulting in a rapid melt of lying snow. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Rain clearing through Sunday with showers and brighter spells on Monday and Tuesday. Strongest winds easing but staying blustery. Mild on Sunday then temperatures returning to the seasonal average.