WIND speeds are likely to reach 55mph in some areas this weekend according to the latest forecasts.
The Met Office has released weather warnings for much of the North of the UK as gales threaten to disrupt transport and cause power cuts.
The warnings refer to a period between 12.15am and 3pm on Saturday.
A forecaster from the Met Office said: "A swathe of very strong westerly winds is expected to push across Northern Ireland, southern Scotland and northern England through Saturday, easing from the west during the day.
"Inland gusts of 55 mph are expected quite widely, with some places having gusts to 70 mph, more particularly around exposed coasts and hills."
The wind is set to ease on Sunday, with speeds expected to drop to between 20 and 30mph.
However, it will continue to get colder throughout the weekend, with temperatures likely dropping as low 1°C on Sunday night and 0°C by Monday morning.
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