British Gas has warned customers to stockpile food and water ahead of Storm Bert this weekend.
The storm is set to bring a “multi-hazard event” to the UK, including heavy snowfall, strong winds and potential flooding.
Amber and yellow alerts are in place for swathes of the country from Saturday morning into Sunday, with warnings that rural communities in Scotland could be cut off.
In a statement to customers, British Gas advised people to stockpile three days’ worth of goods if heavy snow was to disrupt travel and power.
The company warned: “It’s a good habit to have at least three days’ worth of food and essentials stored in an easy-to-reach part of your home. That’s things like medicines, drinking water, non-perishable food and snacks and extra blankets.”
British Gas added: “You should also keep a torch, batteries and a phone charger close by too.”
It advised drivers to take food, water and blankets on any long car journey in case of becoming stranded. Police in Scotland have warned against road travel.
Snow could reach up to 40cm on the highest peaks on Saturday as overnight temperatures drop as low as -6C in parts of Scotland, where an amber warning for snow and ice is in place.
Parts of Dartmoor and South Wales could receive up to three months worth of rain over the weekend, with a risk of flooding.
Winds could reach 70mph on some areas of the coast of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, bringing strong waves.
Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Storm Bert was a “multi-hazard event”, with “strong winds, some high snowfall accumulation, heavy rain, all in various parts of the UK.”
“Because of the different nature of the weather across the UK, people really need to have an idea of what the forecast is for them specifically.
“Further south it’s wind and rain, further north it’s snow then rain and wind. So it really depends on where you are in the UK. Keep on top of the forecast for your area, and prepare as necessary.
“Obviously, with snow and ice there could be some pretty tricky conditions, especially in the morning [on Saturday], so if you are going to leave the house pay attention to what’s going on in your area with the local authorities.”
Dozens of schools in Scotland closed ahead of the storm, where a Met Office amber warning comes into force from 7am for parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Angus.
Yellow wind, rain and snow warnings cover much of the rest of the UK. Wind warnings cover Scotland from 5am until 7pm on Saturday.
Rain and snow warnings cover northern England from 4am to 9am and Northern Ireland from midnight on Friday until 11am on Saturday. Rain warnings cover much of Wales from 6am on Saturday until 6am on Sunday, and South West England from 6am on Saturday until 11.45pm. A wind warning also covers coastal areas of southern England from 3pm until 9pm on Saturday.
The storm forced the cancellation of Christmas events across the country, including light ceremonies in Essex and Perth.
The storm is not expected to clear until Monday, when there will be still be showers and strong winds that will bring a chill, despite average temperatures, although conditions will be drier.