Storm Bert has begun to make an impact with snow closing Scots roads and strong rains and winds expected to cause further travel disruption and potential flooding.
An amber alert for heavy snow and ice is in force between 7am and 5pm on Saturday in areas across the country, where 10-20cm is likely on ground above 200 metres and potentially as much as 20-40cm on hills above 400 metres.
The weather warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire.
Perth and Kinross Council was forced to cancel its annual Perth Christmas lights switch-on event over safety and travel concerns.
Ferry operator CalMac – which serves the west coast of Scotland – has cancelled several sailings today Saturday, November 22, with disruption expected on many other services.
P&O Ferries cancelled the 4am sailing between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland’s south west this morning.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said the storm’s arrival was following a “relatively quiet” night on Friday with temperatures at around minus 4C across parts of Scotland and minus 1C in eastern England.
“We’ll see two to four hours of heavy snow across parts of northern England and Scotland during Saturday morning,” Mr McGivern said.
“This snow will accumulate thick and fast, with five to 10cm at lower levels and as much as 20 to 40cm over hills accompanied by strong winds.
“You can expect blizzards over hills across northern England and Scotland, atrocious conditions for travelling and going over the hills and also the risk of power interruptions because of snow build up on power lines.
“So all in all, a multiple hazard event as we go into Saturday morning.”
He said temperatures will rise quickly as the storm brings with it milder air from the Atlantic, resulting in a “rapid thaw” by the afternoon.
“The melting snow and the heavy rain could lead to localised flooding in places but the wettest spots would be Wales, in the South West, particularly over south-facing hills, that’s where we’re likely to see gales and certainly the risk of impacts from wind as well as from rain,” the meteorologist said.
Over the weekend, Wales and the South West are at risk of seeing 75mm of rain widely, and potentially more than 100mm over the higher parts of South Wales and Dartmoor.
Strong winds are expected to strike the southern coast with gusts of more than 70mph in places.
Wind warnings cover Scotland from 5am until 7pm on Saturday.
In Scotland, there will be speed restrictions on the West Highland Line, Highland Mainline, Stranraer line, Glasgow South Western Line, Far North Line, and West Coast Mainline between Carstairs and the border.
ScotRail has withdrawn services from Inverness to Elgin, Aberdeen to Inverurie, and Glasgow Queen Street to Oban while trains from Glasgow Central to Carlisle will terminate at Dumfries.
TransPennine Express “strongly” urged customers not to travel north of Carlisle on Saturday while Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston – including Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
UK airports are not anticipating disruption.
Superintendent Vinnie Fisher, deputy head of Road Policing, said: “All road users should consider if they really need to travel in adverse weather.
“When driving on ice and snow, keep well back from the road user in front. Stopping distances can be up to ten times greater than on dry roads.
“Check your windscreen washer levels and ensure your windows are completely clear before driving. Failure to do so can result in a fine.
“Listen to media broadcasts for updates, follow Transport Scotland and the Met Office on social media and share information with others.”
Advice for road users:
- Keep well back from the road user in front. Stopping distances in snowy or icy conditions can be up to 10x greater than on dry roads.
- Check your windscreen washer levels and effectiveness of wiper blades.
- Check your vehicle’s lights. You must ensure your lights are clean and number plates are clearly visible
- Ensure your windows are completely clear before driving. Failure to do so can result in a fine
- If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
- Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
- Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
- Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
- Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
- Listen to media broadcasts, including radio, for updates Traffic Scotland radio player | Traffic Scotland or visit Traffic Scotland | Trunk road traffic updates & route planner
- Follow your local authority for the latest updates in your area via Facebook, Twitter/X or their website
- Other information can be found on the Met Office, Ready Scot. For public transport information visit www.travelinescotland.
- Follow @policescotland and @trafficscotland on Twitter/X for up-to-date travel information.
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