Getty ImagesDrivers are being advised to take care on the roads as strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Lilian batter parts of the UK on Friday morning.
A Met Office yellow warning for winds in excess of 75mph has been issued across parts of northern England, southern Scotland and Wales until 11:00 BST on Friday.
Forecasters warn that travel disruption is expected, with possible problems for drivers on the M6 motorway, A66 and A1.
Heavy rain spread eastwards overnight, with around 30mm recorded in North Wales.
Two Met Office yellow weather warnings for rain were in place in parts of south-west and eastern Scotland overnight until 09:00 BST on Friday, with the potential for some localised flooding.
Lilian is the twelfth named storm of the season, the furthest through the list the Met Office has got since it was introduced in 2015.
Gusts of 50-60mph have been recorded widely and winds have already reached 72mph at Capel Curig in Wales.
These wind strengths would not seem that strong in autumn or winter, but are unusual for August, BBC Weather said.
Because trees are in full leaf, branches can fall more easily, which may lead to problems on the roads and rail networks.
There have also been warnings that flooding, power cuts and dangerous conditions near coastal areas are likely.
The Met Office said the storm should pass quite quickly, with the strongest winds forming initially across “parts of north Wales and into the Liverpool, Blackpool area”.
The storm is then likely to move over the Pennines and into eastern and north-east England.
BBC WeatherCampers and revellers at Leeds Festival have been warned to secure their tents to stave off strong winds early on Friday.
A Network Rail spokeswoman said it is closely monitoring the “potential impact” the storm might have on the rail network.
“We have teams on hand to put in appropriate measures, if necessary, to ensure that we can continue to run trains safely and as reliably as possible,” she added.
National Rail has reported travel disruption due to trees blocking the line in parts of Wales, the South-West, the West Midlands, while Northern said some lines across its network were blocked and passengers should expect delays or cancellations.
The severe weather has already been felt outside the expected areas, with National Highways warning the M48 Severn Bridge in Gloucestershire has been closed in both directions between J1 (Aust) and J2 (Chepstow) due to strong winds.
Drivers have been advised to use the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge as an alternate route.
Merseyside Police also issued a warning to drivers on Friday morning.
Posting on X, the force said: “Its very windy out there due to #StormLilian so please take care if you are driving.”
They also advised motorists to “slow down, avoid exposed stretches of motorway” and if possible, to delay travel.
When will it clear?
Rain will reduce through the morning to leave a largely dry Friday with sunshine.
The strongest winds will transfer eastwards across north Wales and northern England throughout the morning and stay very blustery for most parts of the UK throughout the afternoon.
Winds are expected to calm over the bank holiday weekend, although wet weather is set to continue.