Storm Lilian hits Wales with 80mph winds with Met Office warning in place : live updates

Storm Lilian has been named by the Met Office, with strong winds as high as 80mph and heavy rain for many in the north on Friday morning. The M48 Severn Bridge is closed in both directions with diversions via the Prince of Wales bridge. Train services in Ceredigion are delayed because a tree has fallen on the line between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth.

Natural Resources Wales has also issued 14 flood alerts, mainly around coastal areas in the west and south west of Wales. Lilian will move northeast early on Friday morning, bringing strong winds for northern England and Wales, as well as parts of southern Scotland. Warnings highlight potential travel disruption, the possibility of power cuts and dangerous conditions near coasts.

A Met Office yellow warning for wind is in place for parts of Wales between 5am and 11am. More details of this here.

Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: “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.

“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.”