“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,” Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Holley said.

THE Met Office has activated nine weather warnings, including two amber warnings, as Storm Bert batters the nation. Virtually every area of the country is covered by alerts for snow, rain or ice.

Strong southerly winds will accompany the heavy rain, and warnings are in place in both the south and north. Gusts could peak at 50-60 mph in many parts of the warning areas, and could even reach in excess of 70 mph along some exposed coasts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland.