A yellow weather warning for snow and rain in parts of Oldham has been issued by the Met Office as the borough braces for Storm Bert to hit the country.

Starting at 4am tomorrow (Saturday, November 23) and ending at 9am on Sunday (November 24), the borough is set to see a spell of heavy snow followed by a rapid thaw and rain.

According to the Met Office, the snow will fall on Saturday during the day before the rain falls during the night.

The national weather service has issued part of Oldham, including Royton and Saddleworth, with a yellow weather warning and has warned that there is a chance of flooding and power cuts.

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Oldhamers have been warned to prepare for the following circumstances:

  • There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected
  • There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off
  • There is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to some buildings
  • Where flooding occurs, there is a slight chance of delays or cancellations to train and bus services
  • Spray and flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures
  • There is a small chance of fast flowing or deep floodwater causing danger to life
  • There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

The snow will become increasingly confined to higher elevations during Saturday, but there is the chance of a transient period of snow to low levels in some areas, with as much as 5-10 cm accumulating in places, before turning back to rain.

Temporary snow accumulations of 10-20 cm are possible on ground above 150m, with perhaps as much as 20-40 cm above 300m.

Difficult driving conditions are likely, especially over higher level routes, with possibly some interruptions to power supplies.

As the rapid thaw of lying snow as milder air arrives, with possibly an additional 20-40 mm of rain in some upland areas during Saturday night, will lead to a greater likelihood of rainfall impacts later in the period.

The Met Office has warned motorists to plan their route, check for delays and road closures, set off earlier than usual and to have essentials in their car in case of delays.