Storm Lilian, announced by the Met Office today (Thursday, August 22), could bring gusts of up to 80mph as millions prepare getaways for the August bank holiday weekend.
The forecaster has issued a new yellow weather warning covering York and North Yorkshire from 5am to 11am on Friday (August 23), with the storm widely expected to bring gusts of 50-60mph in the region.
The Met Office warns that Storm Lilian could cause some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible, it added.
The Met Office said power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.
Yellow weather warning issued for York (Image: Met Office)
Road and rail services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible, it added.
Lilian is the fifth named storm so far this year, and the first since April.
Storms are named when they have the potential to cause disruption or damage which could result in an amber or red warning, the Met Office said.
Met Office spokesman Stephen Dixon said: “Storm Lillian is an area of low pressure which is going to be drifting towards the UK from the west and bringing some strong winds and some heavy rain in the early hours of Friday and through Friday morning as well.”
He added: “Take steps to do what you can do to protect your property and people from injury, so checking for loose items around your home and planning how to secure them down, whether that’s bins, garden furniture or trampolines, and checking travel plans before you head out if you’re within those warning areas to avoid delays – and amending any plans as needed.
“Gathering torches, batteries and power packs for mobile phones can be useful things to do to prepare for power cuts.”
The RAC estimated that 19.2 million leisure trips by car will be made over the weekend, with 3.2 million on Friday alone.
This is highest since the motoring services company began recording data for the summer bank holiday in 2015.
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