Met Office officials have issued critical weather alerts for Scotland as Storm Bert advances, bringing a potent combination of heavy snowfall, driving rain, and fierce winds set to impact communities across the nation this weekend.
Friday offers a brief window of clearer conditions as a temporary high-pressure system moves through, though temperatures will struggle to rise above 7 or 8 degrees Celsius across most Scottish regions.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly has highlighted particular concern for Scotland, where an amber warning for snow and ice has been issued, with significant accumulations expected across higher ground and transport disruption likely.
The storm system threatens to deliver substantial rainfall throughout Saturday and Sunday, with western Scotland particularly vulnerable to heavy precipitation, while the rapid melting of accumulated snow could trigger localised flooding concerns across numerous areas.
Coastal communities face additional challenges as powerful southerly winds could exceed 70 mph along exposed western Scottish shorelines, with inland areas expecting sustained gusts between 50-60 mph throughout the warning period.
Transport Scotland and local authorities are advising residents to prepare for potential travel disruption, with particular attention needed on higher routes where snow accumulation could be significant.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is monitoring river levels closely, as the combination of heavy rainfall and melting snow could lead to rapid water level rises in various catchment areas across the country.
Police Scotland emphasises the importance of essential journeys only during the worst of the conditions, advising motorists to carry emergency supplies and ensure vehicles are winter-ready before attempting any necessary travel.
Mountain rescue teams across Scotland are urging hillwalkers and winter sports enthusiasts to carefully consider their plans this weekend, with conditions expected to be particularly challenging in upland areas.
The slow-moving nature of Storm Bert means these severe conditions could persist into Monday, with continued strong winds and scattered wintry showers affecting much of Scotland, particularly in exposed northern and western areas.
Meteorologists suggest that while colder but potentially drier conditions might follow the storm, this respite could be brief, with further unsettled weather likely to return to western Scotland by the end of the coming week.
The Met Office stresses that weather warnings may be updated at short notice throughout the weekend, urging Scottish residents to stay informed about the latest forecasts and local conditions.
