Borders braces itself for blast of winter
Last updated 29th Dec 2023
The Borders is being warned to brace itself for a blast of wintry weather as we enter the final weekend of the year.
The Met Office has issued a Yellow - be prepared - weather warning covering much of the region for Saturday, from 8am to 3pm.
It's forecasting a period of sleet and snow, turning to rain, may lead to some flooding and travel disruption, with as much as 40mm of rain and 5cm of snow possible in some areas.
It comes as the clean-up continues following Storm Gerrit.
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Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team revealed it was called out to two incidents in Kielder Forest on Wednesday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were also involved in the rescue of a family whose vehicle had left the road and got stuck down an embankment in the snow in the cross-border operation; while another family managed to make their own way to safety after becoming trapped in their car by flood water.
Referring to the latest weather warning, the Met Office says: "A band of rain, with snow on high ground for a time, will extend north-east across southern Scotland on Saturday morning, clearing from the west in the afternoon.
"Rainfall totals of 15 to 25mm are expected across the warning area in a few hours, and 30 to 40mm possible over hills, along with 2-5cm of snow above 250-300 metres."
It adds: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary."
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