Storm Bert has arrived in Cumbria for the weekend and here’s what you need to know.
The A66 is closed between Scotch Corner and Brough due to heavy snow.
Trains are cancelled and people are urged to check before they travel.
electricity North West said its engineers were on standby – 601 homes in Workington were without power for around two hours last night.
Temperatures have already dropped in the county over the past few days and a weather warning came into force from 4am today, Saturday November 23.
Overnight from Friday it was predicted there would be severe ice across all areas of Westmorland and Furness, with snow in the North and South Pennines (up to 15cm), Shap fells and surrounding high ground (up to 10cm), according to Westmorland & Furness Council.
The Met Office said heavy snow is predicted from 4am on Saturday to 9am on Sunday, followed by a rapid thaw and subsequent rain on Saturday night, may cause some disruption.
What should I expect?
- There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
- There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
- There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
- Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
- Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
- There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
- There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel
Outbreaks of rain will spread north eastwards on Saturday, preceded by a spell of snow across parts of northern England and Scotland.
While 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 5-10cm accumulating in places, before turning back to rain. Temporary snow accumulations of 10-20cm are possible on ground above 150m, with perhaps as much as 20-40cm above 300m.
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 20-40mm of rain in some upland areas during Saturday night, will lead to a greater likelihood of rainfall impacts later in the period.
On Sunday, November 24, there will be wind and rain and a risk of flooding following thawing of ice and snow and high rainfall.
