Scotland faces weekend 'blizzard' as Storm Bert brings urgent Met Office travel warning
Scots are being urged to brace for a barrage of winter weather before Storm Bert arrives this weekend.
The latest storm, named by the Met Office, is currently moving in from the Atlantic, which forecasters say will bring wetter and windier weather. This combined with an area of low pressure means Scotland is set to see a "significant" impact from snow, wind and rain.
An amber weather warning is currently in place in central Scotland. for snow and ice, which will begin on Saturday morning, November 23 until the early evening. The alert cautions that 10-20 cm are likely on ground above 200m and potentially 20-40 cm on hills above 400m.
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Forecasters are warning of a "heavy" period of snow falling "in two to four hours" on both high and lower levels. Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern said anyone with travel plans on should reconsider.
Speaking on Saturday's forecast, he said: "The more impactful snow is expected as we go through the morning across northern England and Scotland, the cold air remains in place for longer here and that's why we're in these areas up two to four hours of heavy snow building up thick and fast on the ground even at lower levels.
"Combined with strong winds, there's the risk of drifting snow, blizzards over hills and also interruptions to power supplies."
"Northern Scotland remains clear of the hazardous weather until the early afternoon and then the rain and hill snow moves north and it's going to turn quite quickly back into rain at most lower levels across northern England, central and southern Scotland later in the afternoon."
He went on to say that this is to be followed by a "rapid thaw" later on Saturday afternoon. This will result in ice build up, adding further risk for turbulent road conditions and injuries from slips and falls
"All the ingredients there for some very tricky conditions, certainly if you've got travel plans. I would stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings and traffic information. And if you can delay those travel plans, it would be strongly advised."
This high risk amber warning will also fall during a separate "danger to life" rain and snow warning that covers all of Scotland and the top half of England. In place from from 4am on Saturday until 9am on Sunday, this has the potential to bring flooding to some areas, where fast flowing flood water may accumulate.
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