The Met Office has confirmed that Storm Lilian, the 12th named storm of the season, is set to impact the UK on Friday, bringing winds of up to 80mph in some areas.

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued across northern England and parts of southern Scotland, effective from 5am to 11am on Friday. Additionally, two separate yellow warnings for rain have been placed over south-west and eastern Scotland, starting from 9pm on Thursday and lasting until 9am on Friday.

The Met Office has warned that strong winds associated with Storm Lilian will move eastward across northern England on Friday morning, with gusts generally reaching 50 to 60 mph. However, there is a possibility that a small area could experience gusts of 65-75 mph, with a slight chance of reaching 80 mph.

These conditions are expected to affect major routes like the M6, A66, and A1(M), and could also impact infrastructure. Heavy rainfall accompanying the winds may further complicate travel.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly highlighted the potential for up to 50mm of rain over high ground within the warning area, with widespread amounts of 20-30mm. Given that much of this rain will fall on already saturated ground, the risk of surface water flooding is elevated.

The Met Office has advised the public to secure outdoor items, prepare for potential travel disruptions, and take precautions against possible power cuts. Those living near the coast should be particularly cautious of large waves and stay safe during stormy weather.

The strong winds are expected to subside by the bank holiday weekend. This storm follows the remnants of ex-Hurricane Ernesto, which also brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK earlier in the week.

Storm Lilian is notable for being the third named storm in August since the practice began in 2015 and is the first time the naming system has reached the letter "L" in a season. Photo by Richard Knights, Wikimedia commons.