Storm Bert is approaching Northern Ireland this weekend and is forecasted to bring very strong winds and heavy, persistent rain.
The deep area of low pressure, which will bring impacts to large parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday, has been named, bringing a spell of heavy rain and strong winds after the current cold snap, leading to a miserable weekend for most of us on the weather front.
The second named storm of the season is forecast to bring snow, rain and strong winds to parts of NI this weekend with wind gusts of up to 70mph expected in some areas. Heavy snowfall could bring further disruption to parts of the country while heavy rain is also likely, especially in western parts.
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The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind from 5am to 7pm on Saturday and a separate yellow warning for rain and snow from midnight to 11am.
The forecaster said: "Storm Bert will bring a spell of rain, preceded by snow in places, on Friday night into Saturday which may cause some disruption. It will also bring strong winds for a time on Saturday, which may cause some disruption in places."
Ahead of Storm Bert, wintry showers will continue to impact parts of the UK on Thursday and Friday, particularly exposed areas in the north, and there are still a number of National Severe Weather Warnings in place for snow and ice.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Dan Holley said: “Storm Bert marks a shift to much milder air and wintry hazards will gradually diminish through the weekend, but heavy snowfall is expected across parts of northern England and Scotland for a time on Saturday, especially over higher ground, and warnings are in place.”
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“Heavy rain through Saturday and Sunday, especially in southern and western parts of the UK, will also bring impacts for some with a number of warnings in place. We expect 50-75 mm of rainfall quite widely within the warning areas, but in excess of 100 mm is possible over high ground in parts of Wales and southwest England.”
“In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend and periods of strong winds are likely to exacerbate impacts and bring the potential for travel disruption, as well as flooding for some.”
The forecaster said unsettled weather is likely to continue into the start of next week, with strong winds and some showers for many parts. Although temperatures will be around average for most places, strong winds mean it will feel rather cold.
Looking further ahead there are indications we could see a brief return to colder conditions with wintry showers for a time, especially in the north, before it becomes unsettled and milder again at the end of next week.
Here's what to expect over the next few days, according to the Met Office.
Tonight:
Frequent, often heavy showers of rain, sleet and snow will affect most parts this evening and overnight, but are likely to be most frequent across the northeast. Minimum temperature -1 °C.
Friday:
Scattered showers of rain, sleet and occasionally snow in the morning. These mostly dying out by the afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Maximum temperature 5°C.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Strong winds with rain and snow on Saturday. Remaining windy but milder and rain clearing on Sunday. Rain or showers and a risk of gales on Monday.
UK long range weather forecast: Monday 25th November - Wednesday 4th December
An unsettled start, with strong winds and some showers for many parts, these most frequent in the north. Temperatures easing back towards average for most places, but still mild in the southeast. The strong winds will make it feel rather cold though. It then looks like turning colder for all parts, with a return of wintry showers for a time, especially in the north.
Conditions then look like settling down as high pressure briefly builds across the country, this bringing a risk of some stubborn fog patches as winds ease. It may turn unsettled and milder again later next week. Into December, high pressure may re-assert itself, with temperatures generally close to average, but some overnight frost is likely, and rather cold by day where any fog persists.
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