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Severe gales due across Scotland as Storm Barbara moves in Disruption as Storm Barbara starts moving across Scotland
(about 1 hour later)
Severe gale force winds are expected across Scotland, as Storm Barbara moves in, with warnings of difficult travelling conditions. Storm Barbara has started crossing Scotland, causing power cuts, school closures and difficult travelling conditions.
The highest wind speeds are forecast for the Western Isles, Skye, the north west coast and Northern Isles, with gusts expected of 80-90 mph.The highest wind speeds are forecast for the Western Isles, Skye, the north west coast and Northern Isles, with gusts expected of 80-90 mph.
Wintry showers and ice have also been forecast for large parts of Scotland.Wintry showers and ice have also been forecast for large parts of Scotland.
More than 100 school sites are shut in the Highlands and ferries to the Northern and Western Isles cancelled. An amber alert has now been issued for the Northern Isles and part of north Caithness on Boxing Day.
Some train services have also been affected. The Met Office has named it Storm Conor and is forecasting winds gusting to 70-80mph - possibly reaching 90mph in some areas.
A power cut is affecting properties parts of Lewis in the Western Isles. Electricity company SSE said it was working to restore power. More than 100 school sites are shut in the Highlands on Friday and ferries to the Northern and Western Isles have been cancelled.
Some train services have also been affected, and all bus services on the Western Isles have been cancelled.
Power cuts have been affecting properties parts of Lewis and South Uist in the Western Isles, around Knockando in Moray and Assynt and near Loch Broom in the Highlands.
Electricity company SSE said it was working to restore power.
Sailings cancelled
The firm is also on "yellow alert", meaning it is increasing the levels of its frontline and support staff that are on stand-by and moving engineers, plant and welfare facilities to the areas it expects to be affected by the storm.The firm is also on "yellow alert", meaning it is increasing the levels of its frontline and support staff that are on stand-by and moving engineers, plant and welfare facilities to the areas it expects to be affected by the storm.
Friday was due to be the last day of term for pupils in the Highlands. The council has posted details of the closures on its website.Friday was due to be the last day of term for pupils in the Highlands. The council has posted details of the closures on its website.
CalMac said all sailings to the Outer Hebrides and between the islands have been cancelled for the rest of the day.CalMac said all sailings to the Outer Hebrides and between the islands have been cancelled for the rest of the day.
A yellow "be aware" warning issued by the Met Office forecasts gusts of 60-70 mph as being possible over most of the country.A yellow "be aware" warning issued by the Met Office forecasts gusts of 60-70 mph as being possible over most of the country.
A second yellow warning has been issued about wintry showers and ice affecting large parts of Scotland on Friday evening into Saturday morning.A second yellow warning has been issued about wintry showers and ice affecting large parts of Scotland on Friday evening into Saturday morning.
A higher level amber "be prepared" warning has been issued for the Northern Isles, the Western Isles and Northwest Scotland.A higher level amber "be prepared" warning has been issued for the Northern Isles, the Western Isles and Northwest Scotland.
It suggests gusts of 80-90 mph are likely in the afternoon and evening.It suggests gusts of 80-90 mph are likely in the afternoon and evening.
The Met Office suggests the wind, caused by Storm Barbara, could disrupt power lines, force the cancellation of ferries and lead to restrictions on some bridges.The Met Office suggests the wind, caused by Storm Barbara, could disrupt power lines, force the cancellation of ferries and lead to restrictions on some bridges.
The wind is likely to ease on Christmas Eve. A further period of wind and rain is forecast from the early hours of Christmas Day until Boxing Day morning.
Christmas Day
But a further period of wind and rain is forecast from the early hours of Christmas Day until Boxing Day morning.
The Met Office said gusts of 50 to 60 mph are likely to occur quite widely, locally up to 70 mph.The Met Office said gusts of 50 to 60 mph are likely to occur quite widely, locally up to 70 mph.
There is a lower likelihood of gusts exceeding 80 mph across the far north of the mainland and the Northern Isles.There is a lower likelihood of gusts exceeding 80 mph across the far north of the mainland and the Northern Isles.
Forecasters added that heavy rain in the West Highlands combined with snow melt may lead to rising river levels.Forecasters added that heavy rain in the West Highlands combined with snow melt may lead to rising river levels.
WarningsWarnings
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has flood alerts in place in many parts of Scotland.The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has flood alerts in place in many parts of Scotland.
Network Rail warned that some train services will be affected. They included a reduced service between Glasgow and Oban.Network Rail warned that some train services will be affected. They included a reduced service between Glasgow and Oban.
A similar reduction in services will apply between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, as well as Inverness to Wick.A similar reduction in services will apply between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, as well as Inverness to Wick.
ScotRail has listed the services it expects to be disrupted.ScotRail has listed the services it expects to be disrupted.
In Edinburgh, high winds have led to the closure of St Andrew Square, along with city centre entertainment such as the Starflyer, Big Wheel, climbing wall and Scottish market.
Meanwhile, in Orkney, a bakery on Westray has offered to make its industrial ovens available for cooking turkeys for anyone on the island who finds themselves without electricity while trying to make Christmas dinner.Meanwhile, in Orkney, a bakery on Westray has offered to make its industrial ovens available for cooking turkeys for anyone on the island who finds themselves without electricity while trying to make Christmas dinner.
Brown's Bakers has its own generators - which can be used to power the ovens.Brown's Bakers has its own generators - which can be used to power the ovens.
Louise Drever, who runs the business with her husband Duncan, said they could potentially cook up to about 60 turkeys at one time.Louise Drever, who runs the business with her husband Duncan, said they could potentially cook up to about 60 turkeys at one time.
Check out the latest travel news for ScotlandCheck out the latest travel news for Scotland
For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.For the latest on the roads visit the BBC's travel news page and keep up to date with incidents and roadworks on the motorways here.
Around the country you can check for updates from:Around the country you can check for updates from:
Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.Alternatively, for regular travel bulletins listen live to BBC Radio Scotland and follow @BBCTravelScot.
In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.In times of severe disruption you can also follow the BBC Scotland severe weather Twitter list of key sources.
Below are a number of other traffic information sources.Below are a number of other traffic information sources.
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