This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30726678

The article has changed 37 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Scotland, NI and north England braced for gale impact Scotland, NI and north England braced for gale impact
(about 1 hour later)
Strong winds have begun to hit the Outer Hebrides as forecasters warn gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) could cause disruption across Scotland later. Gust of more than 100mph (160km/h) have begun to hit Scotland and forecasters are warning the weather could cause travel disruption and damage later.
A Met Office amber "be prepared" warning was issued for the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney, and parts of Aberdeenshire, central and south east Scotland as the Atlantic front neared. A Met Office amber "be prepared" warning was issued for the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney and parts of Aberdeenshire, central and south east Scotland as the Atlantic front neared.
BBC Weather says a gust of 92mph has been recorded at Stornoway Airport. BBC Weather says a gust of 105mph was recorded at Stornoway Airport.
The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to vehicles because of strong winds.The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to vehicles because of strong winds.
Speed restrictions on the bridge came into force earlier in the night and it was decided to close access to all vehicles at 00:47 GMT. Officials said a van had overturned on the northbound carriageway as the wind reached 91mph and the bridge will remain closed in both directions until it can be removed.
The Forth Road Bridge tweeted: "We will remove overturned van as soon as safe to do so, however forecast suggests it will be mid-morning before wind drops sufficiently."
Flood alerts
High winds and heavy rain have been forecast for the next few days and icy conditions on Sunday.High winds and heavy rain have been forecast for the next few days and icy conditions on Sunday.
A Met Office yellow "be aware" warning, predicting gusts of between 60mph and 70mph, covers the rest of Scotland for Friday and Sunday. A Met Office yellow "be aware" warning, predicting gusts of between 60mph and 70mph, covers the rest of Scotland on Friday.
The yellow warning is also in place in northern coastal areas of Northern Ireland and parts of northern England, including Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire. Gusts of 56mph have already been recorded at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports, said BBC Weather.
The yellow warning is also in place for northern coastal areas of Northern Ireland and parts of northern England, including Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham and North Yorkshire.
Cumbria Police said strong winds had blown over a lorry between junctions 38 and 39 on the northbound carriageway of the M6 motorway.
The Met Office says the public should be prepared for potential disruption to transport and power supplies, as well as structural damage.The Met Office says the public should be prepared for potential disruption to transport and power supplies, as well as structural damage.
The Met Office's chief forecaster says a depression has been developing over the Atlantic in association with a very strong jet stream. It is said to have been triggered by sub-zero temperatures in the US hitting warmer air.The Met Office's chief forecaster says a depression has been developing over the Atlantic in association with a very strong jet stream. It is said to have been triggered by sub-zero temperatures in the US hitting warmer air.
Flood alerts have been issued for parts of the UK.Flood alerts have been issued for parts of the UK.
Power companies have already put extra staff on standby and the police have been warning commuters to check before they travel on Friday morning.Power companies have already put extra staff on standby and the police have been warning commuters to check before they travel on Friday morning.
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said it has mobilised 1,000 people in preparation for the storms.Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution said it has mobilised 1,000 people in preparation for the storms.
Some ferry services in Scotland have already been cancelled.Some ferry services in Scotland have already been cancelled.
Scotrail said several train services were not expected to run on until late on Friday.Scotrail said several train services were not expected to run on until late on Friday.
Routes expected to be affected are Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick/Aberdeen, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs, Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central and Glasgow-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig.Routes expected to be affected are Inverness-Kyle/Thurso/Wick/Aberdeen, Kilwinning-Ardrossan/Largs, Dumbarton Central-Helensburgh Central and Glasgow-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig.
Network Rail said the lines involved would be checked for any damage.Network Rail said the lines involved would be checked for any damage.
All schools on Orkney and the Western Isles will be closed on Friday.All schools on Orkney and the Western Isles will be closed on Friday.
The Dounreay nuclear complex on the far north Caithness coast will be closed to all but essential staff on Friday and Saturday, the site's operator has said.The Dounreay nuclear complex on the far north Caithness coast will be closed to all but essential staff on Friday and Saturday, the site's operator has said.
Live flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection AgencyLive flood warnings from the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Enter your postcode to see alerts near youEnter your postcode to see alerts near you
The winds are predicted to die down on Friday before returning again overnight and into Saturday morning.The winds are predicted to die down on Friday before returning again overnight and into Saturday morning.
Snow showers are also possible across Scotland on Saturday.Snow showers are also possible across Scotland on Saturday.
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.
Have you been affected by the gales? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.Have you been affected by the gales? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experience.
Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.Please include a telephone number if you are willing to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
Have your sayHave your say
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions.Read the terms and conditions.