Storm Lilian has been officially named by the Met Office as it brings strong winds and heavy rain to various parts of the UK. This storm marks the fifth named storm of the year and the first since April. The decision to name storms is made when they have the potential to cause disruption or damage.
Storm Lilian is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph as parts of the UK brace for the August bank holiday weekend. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain in south-west Scotland and the Aberdeenshire coast, as well as a wind warning for northern England and north Wales.
In preparation for Storm Lilian, millions of people are set to embark on leisure trips by car over the weekend. The RAC estimates that 19.2 million trips will be taken, with 3.2 million on Friday alone, marking the highest number of trips recorded for a summer bank holiday since 2015.
The storm follows heavy rain and strong winds in parts of Scotland and northern England earlier in the week. Two yellow wind warnings were already in place on Thursday for northern Wales and northern England. The Met Office reinforces that storms are named to highlight their potential for causing significant disruption or damage, which may warrant higher-level warnings.
Drivers are urged to exercise caution on the roads, particularly in coastal areas, as the storm continues to affect various regions. Stay updated with the latest weather alerts and safety recommendations to navigate Storm Lilian’s impact across the UK.