Weather map reveals the place Storm Bert is about to batter UK this weekend with Met Office warnings in place

The areas of the UK that are set to be worst hit by Storm Bert this weekend have been revealed in a series of weather maps issued by the Met Office.

The storm will strike from overnight on Friday with Britons bracing for more than a foot of snow, five inches of rain and 70mph winds. 

The Met Office has issued snow, ice, wind and rain warnings across the UK and said the low pressure system would be a ‘multi-hazard event’ following a cold snap. 

An amber alert for heavy snow and ice will be in force on Saturday from 7am until 5pm in an area north of Scotland’s central belt, where up to 8in (20cm) is likely on ground above 650ft (200m) and potentially even 1ft 4in (40cm) above 1,300ft (400m).

The ten-hour warning covers parts of Angus, Perth and Kinross, Stirlingshire, Aberdeenshire and some of the Highlands and Argyll and Bute.

Another amber alert for snow is also in place from 7am until 12pm on Saturday in areas of north east and north west England where up to 8in is expected on higher ground. 

The warning covers Durham, Darlington, Northumberland, Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and parts of southern Scotland. 

Meanwhile, yellow wind, rain and snow warnings cover much of the rest of the UK. Wind warnings cover Scotland from 5am until 7pm on Saturday. 

Rain and snow warnings cover northern England from 4am to 9am and Northern Ireland from midnight on Friday until 11am on Saturday. 

Rain warnings cover much of Wales from 6am tomorrow until 6am on Sunday, and south-west England from 6am tomorrow until 11.45pm.

A wind warning also covers coastal areas of southern England from 3pm until 9pm tomorrow.

Bert is expected to sweep in from the Atlantic after undergoing explosive cyclogenesis – a term more commonly known as a ‘weather bomb’ when the central pressure of a low pressure system falls by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours. 

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Storm Bert was a ‘multi-hazard event’.

‘We’re looking at strong winds, some high snowfall accumulation, heavy rain, all in various different parts of the UK,’ he said.

‘So it’s quite a complex weather set-up for the weekend. Generally speaking, it’s a very unsettled weekend of weather ahead.’

He advised the public to keep an eye on the weather in their areas.

‘Because of the different nature of the weather across the UK, people really need to have an idea of what the forecast is for them specifically.

‘Further south it’s wind and rain, further north it’s snow then rain and wind. So it really depends on where you are in the UK. Keep on top of the forecast for your area, and prepare as necessary.

‘Obviously, with snow and ice there could be some pretty tricky conditions, especially in the morning (on Saturday), so if you are going to leave the house pay attention to what’s going on in your area with the local authorities.’

It follows a cold snap which has caused over 100 schools to close throughout the UK.

Scotland remained the worst affected, with more than 54 schools shut in the Highland Council on Friday because of snow.

At least 27 schools in Aberdeenshire were also shut while many others had delayed openings.

Devon faced further disruption today with 71 schools closed or opening late, roads blocked and trains cancelled due to the snow – while Cornwall was recovering after one of the county’s worst whiteouts for two decades that saw up to 10in (25cm) fall. 

Temperatures have plummeted this week with the coldest reading this early in the season since 1998 recorded on Tuesday as Braemar in Aberdeenshire fell to -11.2C (12.2F). 

RAC Breakdown spokeswoman Alice Simpson warned drivers to be aware of ‘rapidly changing conditions’ on the roads because of Storm Bert.

‘Persistent downpours will lead to areas of standing water, so it’s important to keep speeds down as the risk of losing control through aquaplaning on a thin layer of water is far greater,’ she said.

‘Drivers should also be very wary of puddles as they can sometimes hide dangerous potholes beneath that can cause expensive damage to vehicles.

‘Strong winds increase the risk of debris falling into the road which makes journeys more challenging, particularly in exposed coastal areas where drivers might be at risk of being buffeted off course.

‘Routes in Scotland, especially rural ones, look likely to face disruption from fresh snow that is forecast on Friday and Saturday. We encourage motorists to stick to major roads where possible and take extra care in the worst-affected areas.

‘Those who have to drive should stay tuned to weather forecasts and allow plenty of time to de-ice and de-mist your vehicle, as it’s dangerous and illegal to drive looking out of a small gap in a frozen windscreen.’