Storm Bert latest: ‘Multi-hazard weather event’ hits UK with snow, heavy rain and 82mph gusts – as 10 people rescued from North Wales landslide

Key points

Storm Bert brings ‘multi-hazard event’ of snow, rain and wind to parts of UKFive children among 10 rescued in North Wales landslideThousands of properties left without powerFlood warnings continue to rise across the UKMan dies after tree falls on carExplained:Where are the weather warnings?|What do they mean?Check the forecast where you areLive reporting by Mark Wyatt

08:18:01 Have you been affected by the weather?

If you’ve been affected by Storm Bert today, then we would like to hear from you.

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18:55:01 Explained: What do the weather warnings mean?

The Met Office issues weather warnings through the National Severe Weather Warning Service when severe weather has the potential to bring impacts to the UK.

These warnings are given a colour – yellow, amber or red – depending on a combination of both the impact the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring.

Here is what the colours mean…

Yellow warning

Many of these warnings are issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low-level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places. 

Many people will be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted.

Other yellow warnings are issued when the weather could bring much more severe impacts to the majority of people but the certainty of those impacts occurring is much lower. 

Amber warning

This means there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. 

There is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.

If an area has been put under an amber warning, then residents there should think about changing their plans and taking action to protect themselves and their property. 

Red warning

Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. 

It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.

18:25:01 UK ‘not out of the woods yet’, says Met Office meteorologist

After snow has battered parts of the UK this weekend, a senior operational meteorologist tells Sky News that we’re still “not out of the woods yet”.

Large swathes of Scotland and the north of England were buried in snow this morning, causing travel chaos and power outages.

All the Met Office’s amber weather warnings for snow have now expired, with wind and rain warnings taking their place for large swathes of the UK.

“We’ve certainly seen a very lively day across the UK,” says Craig Snell, a senior operational meteorologist for the Met Office.

“Initially, really the main impact was from snow as the colder air was slowly displaced by the very mild air. 

“Now really our eyes are turning to the risk of some heavy rain and some strong winds. We’ve already seen some strong winds across many western and northern areas, but as we go through the next 24 hours or so, we’re still not out of the woods yet. 

“We’ve still got plenty of rain to come, and also the risk of some further strong winds.”

Mr Snell says Storm Bert is going to slowly move eastwards across the UK during the weekend but will have “lost some of its energy” by Monday as we enter a new week.

18:00:01 Andy McFlurry and Bear Chills: Scottish gritters get to work

It’s that time of year again when the Scottish gritter trucks begin spreading salt on the roads, armed with their rather comical names.

It’s in Scotland where the tradition of naming gritters became an internet sensation and every year people are encouraged to check the Scottish government’s gritter website to track the fleet of 240 vehicles.

The gritter names this year include, Gritney Spears, Taylor Drift, Spready Mercury and Gritz Crackers.

You can find them all here.

17:40:01 In pictures: Major bridge closed and attractions shut as Bert hits Scotland

Storm Bert has hit Scotland hard today with snow, ice, wind, and rain causing disruptions across the country.

An amber warning for snow covered more of the country this morning – with further yellow warnings for wind and rain covering most of the country.

Edinburgh Zoo confirmed it would be closed today, while the Glasgow Christmas Markets also made the decision to shut.

The Queensferry Crossing was also closed shortly before 11am as a safety precaution due to a risk of falling ice.

17:28:15 11,000 properties still without power in Ireland

Thousands of properties across Ireland are still without power due to the impact of Storm Bert, ESB Networks has said.

The electricity company earlier said at least 60,000 homes, farms, and businesses had been left without power due to the weather.

In its latest update, it says 49,000 have been reconnected through the day, though 11,000, predominantly in counties Donegal, Sligo, Mayo and Galway, remain without supply.

“Crews will continue working late into the evening to restore power to most customers currently without supply,” it said.

“While we are doing everything we can, it is anticipated that some customers will be without supply overnight.”

Across the Irish Sea, the National Grid Electricity Distribution, which connects directly to homes and businesses in the Midlands, South West England and South Wales, says there are currently 4,345 properties without power.

17:25:01 Jeremy Corbyn unable to attend Glasgow protest due to Storm Bert

Jeremy Corbyn was unable to make a pro-Palestine march in Glasgow today after his train to Scotland was cancelled due to Storm Bert.

The former Labour leader – who sits as an independent MP – was set to give a speech at the Stop the War protest, but audience members were told he was unable to attend.

The bad weather prompted a last-minute change, with people giving speeches indoors in the afternoon.

The demonstration was called by Stop The War Coalition Scotland, the Scottish Trades Union Congress, and the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. 

Posters shared by the groups call for the cessation of arms sales to Israel and for an end to attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.

17:06:33 ‘I’ll stay open no matter what’

By Ashna Hurynag, news correspondent 

Weymouth is a summer seaside resort. 

Despite the seasonal trade, businesses here do still open in autumn and winter, hoping to catch Christmas shoppers or dog walkers on the beach.

Today is different though, the forecast of strong winds and heavy rain have led many shops and businesses along the seafront to close.

The amusements arcade is open and so is Jayne’s Cafe.

Inside, owner Jayne Smith offers us a couple of gingerbread biscuits as we get chatting about the weather. 

“I’ll stay open no matter what” she says.

“At the moment the weather is not on our side, but you just do what you can and stay open and people do come in. Even if it’s only for coffee or tea, it all helps the business.”

She’s owned the cafe on the promenade for three years and has partly been impacted by the changing seasons.

“Over the past year, it’s got quieter and quieter. Sometimes because of the weather and also because people just haven’t got the money that they used to have. 

“But I’m the first cafe people see on the way to the train station, so I’m the first port of call for coffee.”

What of the bad weather through the day and into Sunday?

“I’ll stay open, and tomorrow too.”

No matter the weather, Jayne says. 

16:51:17 Flooding in Wales likely to cause further disruption

By Daniel Henry, news correspondent

Ammanford is the third-largest town in Carmarthenshire.

Locals here have shut up shop ahead of the Storm Bert.

The River Loughor is one of seven across Wales that is expected to flood, according to the Met Office.

The skies have darkened since our team have arrived. The river water is flowing fast.

Roads are quiet – but surface water is certainly visible, and will likely cause further disruption to this small Welsh town.

16:33:24 Five children among 10 rescued in North Wales landslide

Five adults and five children have been rescued after a landslide in North Wales.

All 10 people were rescued from the house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Services spokesman said they are all being assessed by ambulance services away from the scene “somewhere warm”.

A further landslide has been reported in the area but it is understood no one else was affected.

16:07:02 Nearly 27,000 homes experience power cuts

Nearly 27,00 homes across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire have experienced power cuts today, Northern Powergrid has said. 

Northumberland, Country Durham and Tyne and Wear have been the most affected areas, the energy company added. 

“We were expecting some disruption due to the weather and our teams were ready and prepared to repair the network and get our customers’ power back on as quickly as possible,” Steve McDonald, interim director of operations said. 

“The weather conditions are proving challenging for our teams to safely get to the sites, but they have already done a great job in safely restoring over 91% of customers already.” 

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