Brits should brace themselves for power cuts and long travel delays as Storm Bert brings fierce winds and a wrath of snow this weekend.
Forecasters have announced that more snow could be on the horizon as temperatures continue to plunge in the days ahead. Alongside power cuts, people should also expect travel disruption due to "strengthening winds" alongside the already harsh conditions. By Friday night, the weather is set to turn wet and windy, sparking further concerns over driving conditions.
Brits have been told to make sure journeys are planned with additional time due to a "rapid thaw of lying snow". The Met Office issued an alert and said snow could blanket parts of the country with potential accumulations of 10-20 cm on ground above 150m. Yellow weather warnings for rain have been issued across south-west England and Wales, with a huge amount of rainfall expected for Saturday.
According to the weather service, south Wales and Dartmoor could see as much as 125mm (5in) of rainfall. A status yellow warning for low temperatures and ice remains in place across the country until midday on Friday.
Met Eireann said Storm Bert is a low pressure system currently forming in the Atlantic, forecasted to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Ireland over the weekend. The meteorological service said it will be issuing more warnings over the weekend as further details of the storm become available.
The Met Office issued an update online and said: "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.
"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."
Today
A frosty and perhaps icy start for most on Thursday with sunshine and wintry showers in areas exposed to the northwesterly wind. Cloudier in the southwest with outbreaks of rain and hill snow moving through. Rather breezy.
Tonight
Wintry and blustery showers continue in the north of the UK, but drier with clear skies further south, and a widespread frost developing away from any coasts.
Friday
Another frosty and in places icy start on Friday with sunshine and wintry showers continuing in exposed areas. Showers and winds gradually easing through the afternoon.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday
Turning wet and windy for all on Saturday, with some hill snow initially, and blustery showers on Sunday and Monday. Milder on Saturday and Sunday but cooler again into Monday.