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Scotland, NI and north England hit by 100mph gales Scotland, NI and north England hit by 100mph gales
(35 minutes later)
Gusts of more than 100mph (160km/h) have begun to hit Scotland and forecasters are warning gales could cause travel disruption and damage.Gusts of more than 100mph (160km/h) have begun to hit Scotland and forecasters are warning gales could cause travel disruption and damage.
A Met Office amber warning was issued for the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney and parts of Aberdeenshire, central and south east Scotland as an Atlantic jet stream approached.A Met Office amber warning was issued for the Highlands, Western Isles, Orkney and parts of Aberdeenshire, central and south east Scotland as an Atlantic jet stream approached.
Gusts have reached 113mph in Stornoway and 110mph in the Highlands.Gusts have reached 113mph in Stornoway and 110mph in the Highlands.
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.
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.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."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."
BBC News correspondent Colin Blane says police and fire service say they are dealing with many incidents of fallen trees.
Flood warningsFlood warnings
The Met Office amber "be prepared" warning forecasts high winds and heavy rain for the next few days and icy conditions on Sunday.The Met Office amber "be prepared" warning forecasts high winds and heavy rain for the next few days and icy conditions on Sunday.
A yellow "be aware" warning, predicting gusts of between 60mph and 70mph, covers the rest of Scotland on Friday.A yellow "be aware" warning, predicting gusts of between 60mph and 70mph, covers the rest of Scotland on Friday.
BBC Weather said gusts in the Highlands reached 110mph at Loch Glascarnoch, and 97mph at Altnaharra. Speeds of 61mph have been recorded overnight at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.BBC Weather said gusts in the Highlands reached 110mph at Loch Glascarnoch, and 97mph at Altnaharra. Speeds of 61mph have been recorded overnight at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports.
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.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.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 warnings and alerts have been issued in Scotland and parts of England and Wales.Flood warnings and alerts have been issued in Scotland and parts of England and Wales.
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 Agency
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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
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