Storm Desmond’s strong winds and rain hit Derbyshire affecting travel

It is expected to be a cloudy and very windy day in the East Midlands with severe gales possible over the Peak District and a yellow weather warning has been issued for Derbyshire.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Winds may be strong enough to bring down trees and perhaps cause damage to buildings and other structures.

“Watercourses may become dangerous, deep and fast-flowing, while some transport disruption seems likely.”

The A628 Woodhead Pass has been closed to high-sided vehicles and traffic is moving slowly on the Snake Pass.

It should however be dry for most areas through the day, with perhaps just some patchy rain in the far north of the Peak District, according to the Met Office.

By tonight, it is expected to stay very windy and mainly dry for most of the night but winds will begin to ease towards dawn, with some outbreaks of rain spreading into western areas.

Temperatures, however, are expected to be unusually high for this time of the year reaching up 11 degrees centigrade.

Nationally, southwesterly severe gales will affect much of northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland, southern and central Scotland at times during Saturday and overnight into Sunday.

Derbyshire has been included in a yellow weather warning with the worst conditions likely to be during Saturday afternoon and evening across parts of northern England.

Regionally. South Yorkshire is likely to be worst affected but areas including north Derbyshire and the Peak District are expected to suffer with strong winds and rain.

Southeast Scotland and perhaps northeast Wales and the northwest Midlands will be badly affected.

Gusts could reach around 70mph, according to the Met, even at lower levels with hills seeing even higher gusts.

Elsewhere in the warning area, gusts are likely to be around 60mph, with some less windy interludes.

Virgin, East Coast and Northern Rail are also expecting train delays and high-sided lorries have been warned to take care.

Wider travel disruption on roads and ferry routes is expected.

The Met states that winds may be strong enough to bring down trees and perhaps cause damage to buildings and other structures.

Storm Desmond is the fourth storm to be named by The Met Office this winter, after storms Abigail, Barney and Clodagh.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Winds may be strong enough to bring down trees and perhaps cause damage to buildings and other structures.”

“Watercourses may become dangerous, deep and fast-flowing, while some transport disruption seems likely.”