By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist
December 4,2015; 10:40PM,EST
Storm Desmond will continue to blast the United Kingdom and Ireland into early Sunday.
The powerful storm will slowly move across the region, bringing the threat for damaging winds to all of the U.K. and Ireland with flooding possible in some areas.
Strong winds in excess of 40 mph (65 km/h) will batter the northern British Isles and southward including Wales and the Midlands.
"There will be gusts up to 75 mph (120 km/h) across coastal areas and the higher terrain of Ireland, Scotland and northern England," AccuWeather Meteorologist Steve Travis said.
On Saturday, the powerful winds will continue to lash most of the British Isles, including much of England and Greater London. Winds, however, will lessen over the Scottish Highlands.
The winds will persist into Saturday night before gradually diminishing from northwest to southeast.
Tree damage, power cuts and travel delays are expected during the worst of the storm.
On Friday, Network Rail made the decision to impose a 50 mph (80 km/h) speed limit between Preston and Carlisle and a 40 mph (64 km/h) limit on other lines in the North West into Sunday.
First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains are planning to otherwise run a normal service, but could face delays up to 45 minutes if traveling through affected areas.
"This decision will add additional times to some journeys and may lead to some services being cancelled but I can assure passengers it has been made with their safety in mind," Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail said.
Flight delays are also possible and drivers of high-profile vehicles should be on alert for dangerous crosswinds.
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Greater London will escape the strongest winds and highest risk of damage, but gusts to 50 mph (80 km/h) can still cause problems.
Loose holiday decorations and other lawn items should be tied down or brought inside as winds will be strong enough to toss them around and cause damage.
In addition to the strong winds, the northern British Isles will face the heaviest rain from Desmond.
Rounds of downpours are expected across Ireland, Northern Ireland, northern Wales and northwestern England into Saturday night, elevating the risk for flooding.
Total rainfall will average 25-75 mm (1-3 inches) with localized amounts over 100 mm (4 inches).
The weather will briefly turn more tranquil later Sunday before another fast-moving storm returns rain and wind to the British Isles Sunday night into Monday. Showers and less-intense wind will follow for Tuesday.
"This storm will track west of the British Isles, meaning the worst winds will target places from western Ireland to western Scotland," Travis said. "Wind gusts will likely range from 50-75 mph (80-120 km/h) with the highest at the coast and the higher terrain."
However, a repeat of the rain amounts from Desmond are not expected.
"For southern and eastern England, the winds [early next week] will not be as strong as this weekend," added Travis.
Content contributed by AccuWeather Meteorologist Eric Leister.
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