Met Office wind warning as Storm Lilian set to hit 39 areas with 75mph hurricane winds - full list

Storm Lilian is set to make landfall in the UK within hours, with 39 different regions bracing for the impact of hurricane-force winds.

The Met Office officially named Storm Lilian this morning, forecasting strong winds for England, Wales and Scotland. A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued from 5am on Friday until 11pm, covering the whole of Yorkshire and most of northern England, with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall in just a few hours.

According to the latest Ventusky weather maps, the storm is predicted to hit Britain around 10pm tonight. It will emerge from the Atlantic Ocean, bringing strong winds of up to 40mph to Cornwall.

Read more: Met Office Yorkshire weather warning as Storm Lilian hits

As the night progresses, the main body of Storm Lilian is forecast to move north through the Irish Sea. By 4am, almost all of Wales will be under the wrath of Lilian, with 75mph winds particularly around northwest Wales; Bangor being one of the areas likely to be affected.

Three-metre waves are also expected to follow the storm into the Irish Sea, with up to a 5m swell off the south coast of the Republic of Ireland. Within two hours, northwest England will bear the brunt of the strong winds, as revealed by weather maps, reports the Mirror.

Cities such as Liverpool, Southport and Blackpool could experience wind gusts of up to 70mph. A severe thunderstorm is also forecast to hit Scotland around the same time, potentially dropping nearly 25mm of rain in just three hours.

As dawn breaks this Friday, almost all of the UK is expected to experience rain showers before they swiftly move toward the North Sea by 10am. The departing precipitation will make way for strong winds, which are set to carve out a blustery corridor between southern England and northwest continental Europe, predominantly through the English Channel.

By early Friday afternoon, storm Lilian is expected to vacate the UK entirely, setting its course towards Denmark and Sweden.

Met Office Chief Meteorologist Jason Kelly commented on the impending weather: "Storm Lilian will bring some potentially damaging gusts during Friday morning, with gusts widely in the 50-60mph range, with the possibility of some gusts in excess of 75mph in a few places."

He further elaborated on the predicaments accompanying Storm Lilian: "There's associated rainfall with Lilian that has also resulted in a Met Office warning for parts of Scotland. Within the warning area, another 50mm of rain is possible over high ground, with 20-30mm falling quite widely. Much of this is falling on saturated ground so increases the chance of some surface water flooding."

To be deemed hurricane-force, winds must surpass 74mph as per the Saffir-Simpson scale, an attainment that is remarkably rare in the UK; the winds must not only reach but also sustain this velocity for a storm to be officially categorised as such.

Meteorologists at the Met Office have issued a severe weather warning ahead of expected strong winds and towering waves set to crash into Britain, prompting officials to urge the public to exercise caution on Friday morning. To secure their properties, they recommend that residents ensure all outdoor items are safely contained, such as bins, garden furniture and trampolines.

Those living near coastal areas are also advised to plan routes carefully, and in the event of an emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

The Met Office's weather alert stated: "If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea."

It continued: "Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."

The areas affected fall under the Storm Lilian weather warning.

Yorkshire & Humber

• East Riding of Yorkshire

• Kingston upon Hull

• North East Lincolnshire

• North Lincolnshire

• North Yorkshire

• South Yorkshire

• West Yorkshire

• York

East Midlands

• Derbyshire

• Lincolnshire

• Nottinghamshire

North East England

• Darlington

• Durham

• Gateshead

• Hartlepool

• Middlesbrough

• Newcastle upon Tyne

• North Tyneside

• Northumberland

• Redcar and Cleveland

• South Tyneside

• Stockton-on-Tees

• Sunderland

North West England

• Blackburn with Darwen

• Blackpool

• Cheshire East

• Cheshire West and Chester

• Cumbria

• Greater Manchester

• Halton

• Lancashire

• Merseyside

• Warrington

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders

• Dumfries and Galloway

Wales

• Conwy

• Denbighshire

• Flintshire

• Gwynedd

• Isle of Anglesey

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