Named storms in August doesn’t happen that often.

Since we started naming storms in 2015/2016 there have only been two years when we’ve had named storms.

Last year we had storms Antoni and Betty bring some disruption.

Before that, in 2020 there was Ellen and Francis.

Spells of wetter and windier weather however, aren’t too uncommon for late August.

While some are still on summer holidays we are racing ever closer to autumn which meteorologically starts on 1 September.

At this time of year the jet stream – fast winds high in the atmosphere – can pick up speed and direct Atlantic weather systems towards the UK.

Getting close to the peak of the hurricane season also can bring the potential for ex-hurricanes to get caught up in the jet stream.

On Wednesday night the remnants of ex-hurricane Ernesto brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK.

Lilian is the 12th named storm this season and this is the first time we’ve reached the letter ‘L’ since we started naming storms.