Rare August windstorm to batter UK into the weekend

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Less than two weeks removed from a record heat wave in the United Kingdom, a potent windstorm more typical of October is striking the region.

A spell of unsettled weather has settled over the U.K. in the wake the late July heat wave and this pattern is forecast to continue into this weekend.

An abnormally strong storm system is sweeping through the British Isles, and will bring the risk for a prolonged strong wind event along with bouts of heavy rainfall.

Gusty winds are set to sweep across the British Isles into Saturday.

Additional periods of rainfall, some locally heavy, and gusty winds are forecast throughout much of the country as well.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Following heavy overnight rain, we have flooding between <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Carlisle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Carlisle</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lockerbie?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lockerbie</a> with water from an adjacent field running onto tracks. <br><br>Water level is about a foot above rails so West Coast Main line is currently closed. We will update.<br><br>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/VirginTrains?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VirginTrains</a> for service info. <a href="https://t.co/ueiqaT6aWt">pic.twitter.com/ueiqaT6aWt</a></p>— NetworkRail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSCOT/status/1160149217102508032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2019</a></blockquote>

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Local flooding will be a significant concern along with the risk for widespread travel delays during the heaviest rainfall.

This satellite image shows the windstorm spinning just west of Europe on Friday before hitting the British Isles. (Image/NOAA)

Such weather conditions will not be favorable for those heading to Bristol, for the city's international balloon fiesta that will continue through the weekend.

Although a shower can not be rule out of the forecast any day through Sunday, the final day of the festival looks generally drier.

Rainy spells will dampen each day across southeastern England and northern Scotland.; however, rainfall will generally total less than 12 mm (0.47 of an inch).

Another facet of this storm will be a prolonged period of strong, locally damaging winds that will whip across much of the country.

"The strongest winds of the event are likely to occur on Saturday, and across southern England and Wales," Edwards added.

It is in this region that winds could reach 50 mph (80 km/h), with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 65 mph (105 km/h). This maximum is most likely at windward facing coastal locations and in the highest elevations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/windy?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#windy</a> weekend has called time on this tree on Dyke Road in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brighton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Brighton</a>. Stay tuned for the latest weather updates <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSussex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSussex</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCSurrey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCSurrey</a> <a href="https://t.co/GWzd5oZsvt">pic.twitter.com/GWzd5oZsvt</a></p>— Mark Carter (@MarkCarterMC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkCarterMC/status/1160102073955954688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2019</a></blockquote>

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These winds will be capable of causing tree damage along with local power cuts and travel disruptions.

Showers and gusty winds will continue throughout the U.K. on Sunday as the storm departs and moves into Scandinavia. Another potent storm will bring the risk for rain and strong winds to parts of the country early next week.

This stormy weather pattern is forecast to continue for much of the remainder of August, limiting the chance for any additional heat waves this summer. Additional waves of wet weather are anticipated before the middle of next week.