Storm Lilian has unleashed chaos across the UK, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and widespread disruption to drivers, rail passengers, and festival-goers alike. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind and rain in several regions, with gusts reaching up to 80mph.
In northern England, southern Scotland, and Wales, winds exceeding 75mph have caused significant travel disruption. Motorists on major routes such as the M6, A66, and A1 have been warned of potential delays, while fallen trees have led to train service interruptions across parts of Wales, the South-West, and the West Midlands. Northern Rail has reported delays and cancellations across its network, urging passengers to expect ongoing disruptions.
Festival-goers have also felt the storm’s impact. Creamfields Festival in Cheshire delayed the opening of its gates on Friday morning, while two stages at Leeds Festival were closed due to strong winds. Leeds Festival organizers have advised campers to secure their tents as the storm continues to batter the region. “We can see an end in sight to the high winds, but the arena will not open at 11:00 as planned,” Leeds Festival said in an update.
The storm has led to power outages across the country, with thousands of homes in Cheshire plunged into darkness. SP Energy Networks reported significant power cuts in areas including Chester, Tarporley, Knutsford, and Warrington. Restoration efforts are ongoing, but many households remain without electricity. Additionally, over 1,300 properties in North Staffordshire and hundreds more in Durham and Yorkshire have been affected by power outages.
British Airways was forced to cancel several international and domestic flights at Heathrow Airport due to strong winds, although the airport expects to “operate as normal” despite the weather.
Forecasters have warned that flooding, power cuts, and hazardous conditions near coastal areas are likely as the storm continues to move across the UK. The Met Office has issued further yellow warnings for heavy rain on Saturday, with areas in south-east England expected to see significant rainfall and potential flooding.
National Highways has also reported closures due to the storm, including the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire, which has been shut in both directions due to strong winds. Drivers have been advised to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternative route.
Merseyside Police issued a warning to drivers on Friday morning, urging caution on the roads: “It’s very windy out there due to #StormLilian, so please take care if you are driving.” They advised motorists to “slow down, avoid exposed stretches of motorway,” and delay travel if possible.
Despite the storm’s severity, it is expected to pass quickly, with winds calming over the Bank Holiday weekend. However, wet weather is set to continue, potentially affecting holiday plans across the UK.
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