Weekend storm to spread new round of rain, wind from UK to France and Germany

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

The last in a series of windstorms to sweep through the British Isles, France and Germany will bring another round of rain and locally damaging winds this weekend.

Communities that faced damage from storms this week can experience disruptions and delays to cleanup efforts as the unsettled pattern continues.

On Wednesday evening, a tornado was reported in western Germany near the border with Belgium, damaging 30 houses and leaving 10 uninhabitable, according to the Associated Press. Five people sustained injuries. 

A man removes a tree that hit a car during a storm in Wuppertal, western Germany, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (Holger Battefeld/dpa via AP)

"There will be no respite from the unsettled weather this weekend as another storm arrives by Saturday with locally damaging winds and downpours," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Eric Leister.

The rain and wind will advance southeastward from southern Ireland, Wales and England spanning Friday night to Saturday to France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany late Saturday to Sunday.

"Another soaking rainfall from Ireland into Wales and Northern England will set the stage for flooding problems and travel disruptions," Leister said. 

Areas that have been soaked by recent storms will face a heightened risk of flooding with this round, due to the saturated nature of the ground.

Even in the absence of flooding, the rainfall can make journey times longer as spray from other vehicles reduces visibility.

"The potential exists for another round of travel delays and power cuts as wind gusts can exceed 80 km/h (50 mph)," Leister said.

Trees that have weakened root structures due to the saturated ground will be more susceptible of being downed during this storm.

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Those planning to attend parades, festivals and other gatherings for St. Patrick's Day on Sunday should be prepared for showery spells and windy conditions from Belfast to London, Paris and Frankfurt, Germany.

Cool air sweeping in behind the storm can lead to a period of snow and slippery travel across the higher ground of Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland this weekend.

Download the free AccuWeather app to see the latest forecast for your area.

"A period of more tranquil weather may arrive next week, finally bringing a reprieve from the recent stormy weather," Leister said.