Snow LIVE: Storm Bert updates as ‘blizzard conditions’ cause chaos at airports and on roads

Storm Bert[1] has struck the UK with heavy snow, aggressive winds and torrential rain – with one man tragically killed after his car “spun off the road” in icy conditions. Large swathes of the north have already been buried in snow this morning, with as much as 16 inches expected to fall in the “multi-hazard event”. Airports in Newcastle, Leeds and Bradford descended into chaos after snow filled up the runways, leaving passengers stranded on flights for as long as three hours. British Airways was also forced to ground 36 domestic and European flights to and from London Heathrow today, including two round-trips to Glasgow, Manchester and Nice.

In London, a massive tree toppled over just inches away from a row of moving cars on Wimbledon Common. It comes amid yellow weather warnings for Storm Bert, which is set to bring winds in excess of 50mph and heavy rain to the area. Several more weather warnings are in place[2], including two rare amber alerts for snow and ice, bringing “potential danger to life and property”. National Highways has issued a “severe weather alert” for snow in Yorkshire and north-east England – with “blizzard conditions” set to arrive and up to five hours of heavy snow expected to “accumulate quickly at all levels”.

It said: “As the snow turns to rain, a rapid thaw is expected to set in as temperatures quickly rise with localised flooding possible.” Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Storm Bert was a “multi-hazard event”. He said: “We’re looking at strong winds, some high snowfall accumulation, heavy rain, all in various different parts of the UK.

So it’s quite a complex weather set-up for the weekend. Generally speaking, it’s a very unsettled weekend of weather ahead.” Follow our live blog below for updates about Storm Bert

13:02KEY EVENT

Storm Bert claims first victim as man dies when car ‘spins off road’ into wall

A man has died after his car ‘spun off the road’ in icy conditions and ploughed into a wall.

The accident, which happened just before 1am, came as temperatures plunged as Storm Bert swept in[3]. The 34-year-old died at the scene after his Renault Captur collided with the stone wall in Shipley, West Yorks. The victim, from Bradford, West Yorks, has not been named.

Police today remained at the scene carrying out their investigations amid heavy snowfall. A local resident, who asked not to be named, said: “A loud crash woke me up in the middle of the night. When I looked outside, I could see the car had spun off the road and smashed into a wall.

It was freezing last night and the road can be treacherous in icy conditions. We’ve seen accidents here before, but nothing as tragic as this.”

12:55Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Newcastle Airport reopens runway

Officials at Newcastle Aiport say they have now reopened the runway after earlier disruption left flights grounded for several hours[5]. A spokesperson said: “Due to Storm Bert, there has been some disruption to flights this morning due to snowfall in parts of the UK, including Newcastle.

“Thanks to our hardworking snow team the runway has been cleared within an hour and the airport is operating as normal. Passengers are still advised to visit our website for the latest flight information and to contact their airline directly if they have any queries.”

12:43Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Snow hits Britain as huge multi-hazard Storm Bert batters UK

Flights have been grounded, motorways left covered in snow and festive events cancelled after Storm Bert[6] began to batter the UK. Weather[7] warnings for wind, rain or snow cover the majority of the country on Saturday, with a more severe amber warning covering parts of northern England and central Scotland[8].

Travel impacts started to be felt this morning, as passengers at Newcastle International Airport described being left on the tarmac for over three hours[9] as the runway became blanketed in snow, with disruption also reported at Leeds Bradford Airport. Snow has settled in towns and cities across the UK (Andrew McCaren/LNP)12:31Zahra Khaliq

Bus slips off road and crashes in snow

Horrifying images show the aftermath of a road accident which saw a bus slip off the road on the A70 near Lugar in East Ayrshire this morning. It is unclear whether the vehicle was carrying any passengers at the time of the crash.

The bus ran off the road on the A70 in East Ayrshire (Dave Johnston)12:16Zahra Khaliq

Football match postponed as ‘torrential rain’ hits stadium

A championship football game due to take place this afternoon has been postponed due to “torrential rain”.

Blackburn Rovers said their match against Portsmouth “has been postponed by the match official due to an unplayable pitch caused by torrential rain.” “We will announce details of the rearranged fixture in due course,” the team added in a post on Facebook.

11:48Zahra Khaliq

13cm of snow recorded in Staffordshire

Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said 13cm of snow was measured in Leek in Staffordshire on Saturday morning. “We expect the worst of the snow to pass by 12pm in Yorkshire but there will be some heavy rain and travelling conditions throughout the day will be pretty poor,” he said. “As milder weather comes in snow will melt, leading to pretty hazardous conditions.”

He added that the effects of Storm Bert would continue throughout the weekend.

11:31Zahra Khaliq

Brits rush to help as car rolls down hill in the snow

Locals have been pictured rushing to help push a vehicle uphill in the snow in Stirling, Scotland this morning. Roads in the area have been covered in a thick band of snow as Storm Bert continues to batter the country with strong winds, heavy rain and snow. Amber warnings coming into force today bring a “potential risk to life and property”.

Heavy snow in Newcastle Upon Tyne (Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)11:25Zahra Khaliq

Flood warning issued with residents urged to ‘act now’

Residents of Accrington and Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire have been urged to “act now” as flooding is expected this weekend.

The Environment Agency advises those in the area to relocate to higher ground, turn off the gas, electricity and water in their home, and prepare protective equipment to shield their properties. The warning reads: “Heavy rain from Storm Bert is expected to cause flooding this morning from 11:00 AM. “Areas most at risk include the River Hyndburn, Woodnook & Broad Oak Water, Antley Syke, Pleck, Hynburn, Tinker, Lottice and Whiteash Brooks in Accrington and Oswaldtwistle.

Comprising Dunnyshop, Baxenden, Lower Fold, Peel Bank, Barnfield and Little Moor End. “Weather conditions are expected to improve this afternoon and no further flooding is expected. We are closely monitoring the situation and clearing debris from weed screens.

Avoid using low lying footpaths and any bridges near local watercourses. “Stay away from floodwater – it contains hidden dangers such as open manhole covers, sewage and chemicals.”

11:07Zahra Khaliq

‘Severe disruption’ to rail services as train tracks flood

Train tracks in Northern Ireland have flooded, causing “severe disruption” to rail services today. Translink said the water had damaged railway infrastructure and urged passengers travelling on Derry, Portadown, Newry and Cross Border lines to seek alternative routes.

A yellow weather warning for rain and snow issued earlier was expected to continue across the region until 11am.

10:47Zahra Khaliq

Flight disruption at multiple airports including Heathrow

British Airways has been forced to ground 36 domestic and European flights to and from London Heathrow today, including two round-trips to Glasgow, Manchester and Nice. Swiss International Air Lines has also scrapped two flights to Zurich and one to Geneva. Other carriers have followed suit with Aer Lingus axing a flight to Dublin, Air France cancelling a Paris CDG service, and Lufthansa canceling a Frankfurt connection.

Meanwhile, Loganair has cancelled flights from Glasgow to Tiree and Barra. Passengers have been offered to reschedule their flights to the Western Isles or the Isle of Man for any day in the upcoming week.

10:10KEY EVENT

16-inch snow bomb to hit UK today

An amber alert for heavy snow and ice is in force today from 7am until 5pm in areas across Scotland. This means 10-20cm of snow is likely on ground above 200 metres, but as much as 20-40cm (16 inches) could potentially fall on hills above 400 metres.

Storm Bert has brought heavy snow to the UK today (Alamy Live News.)09:46KEY EVENT

Newcastle Airport chaos sees passengers ‘stranded on flight for hours’

Flights at Newcastle International Airport[11] have been disrupted by falling snow, leaving passengers stranded on flights for as long as three hours.

Travellers took to social media to share images of heavy snow settling on the runway outside.

09:40Zahra Khaliq

Huge tree topples over on London green

A massive tree fell has fallen on Wimbledon Common in south-west London this morning, just inches away from a row of moving cars. Tree surgeons were pictured clearing up the debris amid yellow weather warnings for Storm Bert, which is set to bring winds in excess of 50mph and heavy rain to the area.

Tree surgeons clear up a fallen tree on Wimbledon Common (Alex Lentati/LNP)09:34KEY EVENT

60,000 homes left without power in Ireland

At least 60,000 homes, farms and businesses are without power in Ireland due to Storm Bert, ESB Networks says. The outages are thought to have been triggered by high winds, with counties in the west and northwest of the country hit the hardest.

ESB Networks said: “Crews are mobilised in impacted areas and responding to faults where it is safe to do so”, adding further outages may occur throughout the weekend. It said: “ESB Networks teams are closely monitoring the storm impact on power supplies and all available resources remain on alert.”

09:27Zahra Khaliq

M48 Severn Bridge closed due to strong winds

The M48 Severn Bridge has closed in both directions due to current wind speeds, National Highways announced this morning. It added that drivers should expect delays and that more information would follow.

The Severn Bridge spans the River Severn between South Gloucestershire in England and Monmouthshire in South East Wales, providing a vital link for businesses and communities.

09:17Zahra Khaliq

Weather will bring ‘potential danger to life and property’

Two rare amber weather alerts for snow and ice are now in force in parts of Scotland and England. This means there is a possibility of travel disruption, road and rail closures, power cuts – and the potential risk to life and property. Residents in areas that have been issued an amber warning should consider changing their plans and take action to protect themselves and their property.

09:04Zahra Khaliq

National Highways issues severe weather alert

National Highways has issued a “severe weather alert” for snow in Yorkshire and north-east England – with “blizzard conditions” set to arrive and up to five hours of heavy snow expected to “accumulate quickly at all levels”.

A driver drives through heavy snow in Dore, Sheffield, caused by storm Bert (Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)

It said: “Storm Bert will bring rain and strong winds north-eastwards on today between 5am and 3pm, the rain preceded by a period of disruptive snow over parts of northeast England,” it said.

“While snow is expected to turn to rain from the south, three to five hours of heavy snow is expected and accumulate quickly at all levels, leading to significant travel disruption. “As the snow turns to rain, a rapid thaw is expected to set in as temperatures quickly rise with localised flooding possible.”

08:50Zahra Khaliq

Newcastle Airport ‘closed’ due to storm

Passengers travelling via Newcastle Airport this morning say the building has closed due to Storm Bert, while others have claimed all flights are currently holding. One person took to X writing: “Temporary halt to Newcastle Airport (NCL) operations aswell, whilst they try and deal with the falling snow.

All flights currently holding.” The user added that the airfield at Leeds Bradford Airport would also be closed until 9am, saying: “Snow is causing issues at Leeds Bradford Airport this morning. Airfield is expected to remain CLOSED until 9am to allow for snow to be cleared from taxiways and runways.”

Both airports are yet to confirm the status of their flights.

08:31Zahra Khaliq

RAC urges drivers to take care on roads

The RAC has warned drivers to be safe on the roads and “plan well” as they attempt to commute while the storm rages on. RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson said: “The first taste of winter means drivers are suddenly contending with the some of the worst road conditions we’ve seen all year. “With freezing temperatures already causing disruption in the east and north of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and snow showers now affecting regions further south, we advise motorists to plan well as ice forms on untreated surfaces.”

08:28Zahra Khaliq

First pictures of Storm Bert show areas up north battered by snow

Areas in Sheffield have been covered in heavy snow this morning following the arrival of Storm Bert.

Dore train station in Dore, Sheffield, is covered in snow (Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP)08:19Zahra Khaliq

Met Office issues new five-hour rare amber snow warning

Two rare amber weather alerts for snow and ice are now in force in parts of Scotland and England.

The first is in place until 5pm and covers parts of Perthshire and the southern Highlands. The second will go on until midday, and will hit rural areas in central northern England, as well as northern Bradford and Harrogate right through to Peebles in the Scottish Borders. The Met Office warned that these areas will see heavy snow which will lead to some disruption.

Rural communities are also likely to become cut off, while travel delays are expected to see passengers become stranded.

07:58Zahra Khaliq

What to expect from Storm Bert

The Met Office has issued nine weather warnings for today alone as Storm Bert is set to batter much of the country. Regions in the firing line can expect:

• Some communities may be cut off by flooded roads
• Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
• Possible power cuts and loss of other services to some homes and businesses
• Homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
• Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life
• Delays or cancellations to train and bus services are possible

07:38KEY EVENT

Christmas light switch-ons cancelled

A number of Christmas light switch-ons have been, cancelled, while others have been postponed or scaled back as Storm Bert is expected to land today. Among those cancelled are the Worcester lantern parade and the Bromsgrove Christmas light switch-on, as well as St John’s market.

Other Christmas events being held in Warwickshire and Staffordshire, including the Ironbridge lights switch-on, have been postponed.

07:31KEY EVENT

Brits told to stockpile three days’ worth of food

Brits have been urged to stock up on essentials ahead of the storm as the country braces for disruptive snow, 70mph winds and heavy rain. Many have been warned they should expect power cuts – with some rural communities feared to become completely cut off over the coming days. British Gas customers were reportedly recommended to stockpile three days’ worth of food and water in the event that the weather disrupts travel and power.

The energy provider also urged Brits to keep phone chargers, torches and batteries nearby.

07:20Zahra Khaliq

When and where Storm Bert will hit

Brits have been warned to brace for a weekend of chaos as Storm Bert brings “disruptive” snow, heavy rain and strong winds to several UK towns and cities. The majority of the country is facing at least one weather[12] warning over the weekend, with Scotland[13] and northern England set to bear the brunt of the storm. According to the Met Office[14], Storm Bert will descend on Saturday – bringing heavy rain and snow, together with strong winds to large swathes of the country.

It comes as a number of schools have been forced to close this week as frosty and icy conditions surround towns and cities in the north ahead of the chaos. Weather warnings are now in place every day until Sunday. See full list of 14 UK regions to be hit by Storm Bert – and when[15]

06:48Bradley Jolly

Met Office says snow will accumulate ‘thick and fast’

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.

06:38Bradley Jolly

All dog owners ‘must do one thing’ as Storm Bert brings 16 inches of snow to UK

There’s one thing all dog owners must do as Storm Bert brings heavy snow to the UK this weekend. The Met Office[16] has been forced to issue several weather warnings[17].

Today, snow[18] warnings cover Northern Ireland, Scotland[19], northern parts of England and the Midlands. There’s also an amber warning[20] in place across a chunk of rural Scotland, where the Met Office says 40cm (roughly 16in) of snow could come down on higher ground. Lower ground across the country could see between 5cm to 10cm of snow on Saturday.

And if you plan on taking your dog[21] for a walk in the crisp, wintry weather[22], there’s something you need to be doing to keep them safe. TikTok[23] user Alex (@nuggypup) documents her life with pooch Nugget on the social media app. In one video, she tells her followers: “If you’re walking your dog out in the snow today, make sure you do this one thing when you get home.”

All dog owners ‘must do one thing’ as Storm Bert brings 16 inches of snow to UK[24]

A man walks his dog through snow after wintry weather on Friday (PA)06:02Bradley Jolly

Storm Bert already causes travel disruption

In Yorkshire, the A628 remained closed overnight in both directions between the A616 Hollingworth and the A57 Flouch due to snow, National Highways announced. The A66 Trans-Pennine route was closed between the A6 and the M6 (J40). Perth and Kinross Council cancelled 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 on Saturday with disruption expected on many other services. P&O Ferries said it had cancelled the 4am sailing between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland’s south west on Saturday.

Britain is bracing for the arrival of Storm Bert (PeterWilliams/WALES NEWS SERVICE)05:22Bradley Jolly

UK airports not anticipating disruption as it stands

UK airports are not anticipating disruption as yet. A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: “Whilst we are not anticipating disruption at this time… we will continue to keep a close eye on the situation, as Storm Bert moves in.”

Manchester Airport said “we’re expecting bad weather but aren’t anticipating any disruption” while Newcastle Airport said it will be operating as normal overnight with teams “fully prepared to respond should conditions deteriorate”.

04:42KEY EVENT

ScotRail withdraws services due to Storm Bert

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. South Western Rail (SWR) asked passengers to only travel west of Basingstoke if their journeys are essential.

SWR announced services between Exeter and London Waterloo will start and finish at Basingstoke, that journey times will be longer between Salisbury and Exeter and between Bournemouth and Weymouth due to speed restrictions, and services across its network will start later than usual on Sunday and Monday because of safety inspections.

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.

References

1. ^ Storm Bert (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ Several more weather warnings are in place (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ temperatures plunged as Storm Bert swept in (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ Storm Bert claims first victim after man dies when car ‘spins off road’ into wall (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ earlier disruption left flights grounded for several hours (www.mirror.co.uk)
6. ^ Storm Bert (www.mirror.co.uk)
7. ^ Weather (www.mirror.co.uk)
8. ^ Scotland (www.mirror.co.uk)
9. ^ described being left on the tarmac for over three hours (www.mirror.co.uk)
10. ^ Snow hits Britain as huge multi-hazard Storm Bert batters UK with ice, wind and rain (www.mirror.co.uk)
11. ^ Newcastle International Airport (www.mirror.co.uk)
12. ^ weather (www.mirror.co.uk)
13. ^ Scotland (www.mirror.co.uk)
14. ^ Met Office (www.mirror.co.uk)
15. ^ See full list of 14 UK regions to be hit by Storm Bert – and when (www.mirror.co.uk)
16. ^ Met Office (www.mirror.co.uk)
17. ^ forced to issue several weather warnings (www.mirror.co.uk)
18. ^ snow (www.mirror.co.uk)
19. ^ Scotland (www.mirror.co.uk)
20. ^ warning (www.mirror.co.uk)
21. ^ dog (www.mirror.co.uk)
22. ^ weather (www.mirror.co.uk)
23. ^ TikTok (www.mirror.co.uk)
24. ^ All dog owners ‘must do one thing’ as Storm Bert brings 16 inches of snow to UK (www.mirror.co.uk)