Storm Bert leaves 60000 without power as weather warnings for ...

At least 60,000 properties are without power in Ireland, as Storm Bert brings a "multi-hazard event" of snow, rain and wind to the UK.

Several weather warnings are in place, while one flood warning and 49 flood alerts have been issued in England and Scotland.

Much of the UK is affected by yellow warnings for either wind, rain or snow, with a slightly more severe amber warning covering parts of northern England and central Scotland.

Two areas in Ireland were issued a rare red warning for heavy rain until 10am.

Follow Storm Bert live: Snow accumulating 'thick and fast'

At least 60,000 homes, farms and businesses have been left without power, Ireland's ESB Networks has said. It blames high winds for the outages, with the west and northwest of the country worst affected.

It warned that further power outages can be expected throughout the weekend.

London, East Anglia, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Hull and swathes of the Midlands are the only parts of the UK with no current warnings in place.

The weather has also brought significant travel disruption, with several flights disrupted at Newcastle and Dublin airports.

Ferry operator DFDS has cancelled services on some routes until Monday with sailings from Newhaven to Dieppe and Dover to Calais being severely affected.

National Highways has issued a "severe weather alert" for snow with "blizzard conditions" affecting Yorkshire and northeast England between 5am and 3pm.

In Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council cancelled its annual Perth Christmas lights switch-on event over safety and travel concerns.

Check out the forecast in your area

A 'multiple-hazard event'

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern described a "multiple-hazard event" going into Saturday morning.

"We'll see two to four hours of heavy snow across parts of northern England and Scotland during Saturday morning," he said.

"This snow will accumulate thick and fast, with five to 10cm at lower levels and as much as 20 to 40cm over hills accompanied by strong winds.

"You can expect blizzards over hills across northern England and Scotland, atrocious conditions for travelling and going over the hills and also the risk of power interruptions because of snow build up on power lines.

"So all in all, a multiple hazard event as we go into Saturday morning."

Read more:Why parts of UK saw no sunshine earlier this month

Temperatures will rise quickly as the storm brings milder air from the Atlantic, he said, resulting in a "rapid thaw" by the afternoon.

What the weather warnings mean

• Yellow - people are advised to check the details of the forecast and consider extra steps to minimise any impact, while disruption is likely, particularly for travel;• Amber - disruption is more likely and more widespread and people are advised to change plans impacted by weather;• Red - reserved for very dangerous weather that can pose a danger to life and cause substantial travel disruption.