Cold Snap Persists Across the UK as Storm Bert Approaches
More frigid temperatures are anticipated in the UK before Storm Bert arrives this weekend, bringing severe winds and even flooding.
Temperatures in Scotland might plummet to -10 degrees Celsius early Friday, with snow and ice warnings still in effect throughout much of the UK.
Bert's arrival on Saturday is predicted to bring much milder temperatures, but there will be disruption due to gusts of 40-60mph (65-96km/h) in Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales, and northern England.
An amber warning for snow and ice has been issued for central Scotland, while multiple yellow warnings for rain and wind are in effect for Saturday and Sunday.
Temperatures in the UK will hover between -2 and 2 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, and they are not anticipated to rise over 6 degrees Celsius during the day.
By Saturday, temperatures in Wales, central and southern England might reach 12-15 degrees Celsius.
However, heavy rain is predicted at times during the weekend, which the Environment Agency says may lead to some localized flooding.
A Met Office yellow rain warning for south-west England and Wales warns 50-75mm (2-3in) of rain might fall across the region on Saturday.
Some areas, such as South Wales and Dartmoor, might receive up to 125mm (5in) of rain in a single day, equivalent to the entire month of November's average rainfall.
Strong winds can damage and impair the transportation network and structures, and power outages are also conceivable.
Those winds will continue at times far into Sunday and Monday as Storm Bert makes its ponderous way eastward across the UK.
Network Rail has already advised passengers to double-check their journeys before departing this weekend.
An amber notice for heavy snow and ice will also be in effect from 07:00 GMT to 17:00 GMT on Saturday in a region north of Scotland's central belt, where higher ground could receive up to 20-40cm of snow.
Police are encouraging people not to travel on Scotland's roads on Saturday as the country prepares for more heavy snow. Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick predicted "heavy" rain throughout Saturday, with some "falling as snow" in northern England and Scotland.
The frigid weather has already caused havoc.
On Thursday, over 100 schools in the Scottish Highlands and 30 in north Wales were shuttered, while nearly 200 schools in Devon and Cornwall were closed or partially closed owing to snow.
Earlier this week, Braemar in Aberdeenshire reached a low of -11.2C, Scotland's worst early winter temperature since 1998.