The second named storm of the season is forecast to bring snow, rain and strong winds across the North East this weekend. 

Storm Bert has been named by the Met Office, with wind gusts of up to 70mph expected in some areas.

There are two yellow weather warnings in place covering the North East. Down the coast, there is a warning for wind from 5am to 7pm on Saturday. 

Further inland, there is a warning for rain and snow between 4am Saturday (November 23) and 9am Sunday (November 24). 

A new alert has now been issued warning of snow and ice for much of Scotland, northern England and parts of western and eastern England and Wales between midday on Thursday and 10am on Friday.

The Met Office said Storm Bert is then expected to bring “heavy rain, strong winds and disruptive snow to parts of the UK through the weekend” and warned of travel disruption and potential flooding.

Heavy snowfall could bring further disruption to parts of the country while heavy rain is also likely, especially in western parts.

Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: “A northerly airflow will continue to feed snow showers into Scotland over the next few days, with this reaching lower levels at times and bringing the potential for some travel disruption.

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“Overnight temperatures will drop below zero fairly widely over the next few days, which has resulted in some ice warnings, with further warnings likely through this week.

“On Thursday, a mixture of snow, sleet and rain is likely to affect the South West, which could potentially bring disruption. It’s likely high ground in the area will see snow, with a mixture of conditions likely at lower levels.”

Met Office meteorologist Clare Nasir said there will be brighter skies outside the warnings areas across the country on Thursday, but more “bitterly cold” temperatures are likely in the evening.