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Weather warning for Scotland, NI and north England Scotland, NI and north England braced for gale impact
(about 1 hour later)
Winds gusting to up to 100mph have been forecast for parts of Scotland from early Friday morning. Winds gusting to up to 100mph (160 km/h) have been forecast for parts of Scotland from early Friday morning.
The Met Office has issued an amber 'be prepared' warning for the Western Isles, Orkney, the Highlands and parts of Aberdeenshire. The Met Office has issued an amber "be prepared" warning for the Western Isles, Orkney, the Highlands, and parts of Aberdeenshire, central and south east Scotland.
There is also an amber warning for parts of central and south east Scotland. BBC Weather says winds gusting 66mph have already been recorded at Stornaway as an Atlantic jet stream approaches.
A yellow 'be aware' warning covers the rest of Scotland for Friday and Sunday. A yellow "be aware" warning covers the rest of Scotland for Friday and Sunday.
The yellow warning is also in place in Northern Ireland and parts of northern England. The yellow warning, which predicts gusts of between 60mph and 70mph, is also in place in Northern Ireland and parts of northern England.
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.
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.
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.
The storms are part of a fast jet stream moving across the Atlantic.The storms are part of a fast jet stream moving across the Atlantic.
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.