Blackburn and other parts of East Lancashire are set to be hit by snow, rain and strong winds today (November 23), as Storm Bert hits.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain and snow which is in force from now until 9am on Sunday (November 24).

The warning covers all parts of East Lancashire. Strong winds are also set to hit the county.

Snow is not currently forecast in Blackburn or other parts of East Lancashire but heavy rain is set to fall all day.

The Met Office said there is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, adding that there is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off.

A warning has also been issued for potential flooding, which could cause some damage to buildings.

Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. 50-75mm of rain is forecast to fall.

Jason Kelly, a Met Office chief meteorologist, said: “Storm Bert starts to arrive overnight on Friday and into Saturday, initially over Northern Ireland. As we go through the first part of Saturday morning, it will start to show its hand across Scotland, north Wales and northern England, with the potential for some heavy snowfall, especially over higher ground. Warnings are in place, including an amber warning for snow and ice for parts of Scotland.

“Heavy rainfall will affect much of the UK this weekend. Rain is expected to develop during Saturday morning across southwest and southern England, becoming particularly heavy and persistent overnight and into Sunday.

“Accumulations of 50-75 mm are expected to fall fairly widely during this time. There is a chance that some places over Dartmoor for example, could see 100-150 mm. In addition, rapid melting of lying snow over the weekend may bring flooding for some.”

“Storm Bert is what we call a ‘multi-hazard event’, bringing snow, rain and wind to the UK for the majority of the weekend. Multiple National Severe Weather Warnings are in place and will be added to and amended over the weekend. It’s possible this may be at short notice, so it is important people keep up to date with the very latest forecast.”

Blackburn’s hour-by-hour forecast

  • 10am: Heavy rain. 4°C. Wind gusts of 43mph.
  • 11am: Heavy rain. 5°C. Wind gusts of 42mph.
  • 12pm: Heavy rain. 8°C. Wind gusts of 41mph.
  • 1pm: Heavy rain. 10°C. Wind gusts of 40mph.
  • 2pm: Heavy rain. 10°C. Wind gusts of 36mph.
  • 3pm: Heavy rain. 11°C. Wind gusts of 34mph.
  • 4pm: Light rain. 11°C. Wind gusts of 32mph.
  • 5pm: Light rain. 11°C. Wind gusts of 30mph.
  • 6pm: Light rain. 11°C. Wind gusts of 29mph.
  • 7pm: Heavy rain. 11°C. Wind gusts of 31mph.
  • 8pm: Light rain. 12°C. Wind gusts of 34mph.
  • 9pm: Light rain. 12°C. Wind gusts of 35mph.
  • 10pm: Light rain. 12°C. Wind gusts of 38mph.
  • 11pm: Light rain. 13°C. Wind gusts of 39mph.
  • 12am: Light rain. 13°C. Wind gusts of 40mph.