“Storm Barbara” is threatening to throw holiday plans into chaos across the north and north-east of Scotland in the days running up to Christmas.
Severe winds could batter the Moray Firth coast and Cairngorms from Wednesday before getting progressively worse at the weekend.
Holiday-makers already facing the prospect of strikes from airport staff devastating flight schedules on Friday and Christmas Eve could now face a new threat from the weather.
The storm could be severe enough to get its own name, the second storm of the season after Storm Angus in November.
Last night, forecasters warned storm-force gales of up to 63mph could blight Christmas Day and the days running up to it.
The conditions could make for difficult driving in the busiest travel spell of the year.
Transport Scotland will be liaising with the National Traffic Control Centre this week to ensure routes are kept as clear as possible.
Yesterday, the Met Office said weather warnings could be issued if the weather system over the Atlantic Ocean continued to deepen.
And forecasters have advised it could yet be christened Storm Barbara if the worst-case scenario from their long-range predictions come true.
Forecaster Chris Page said: “There will be quite wide-spread gales through the Christmas weekend with the potential for severe gales, maybe even storm force.
“It has the potential to be named Storm Barbara. We will be monitoring it to consider weather warnings need to be issued for the wind.
“Compared to the mild weather we have been having it could come as quite a shock to the system.”
The north-west Highlands and Hebrides are expected to bear the brunt from the worst of the storm. Winds will strengthen tomorrow tue evening, reaching up to 50mph with storm-force gusts coupled with possible deluges.
The gales will then sweep across Moray and into Aberdeenshire on Wednesday bringing possible wintry showers with it on lower land.
Families eager to get away for the Christmas weekend will get a break in the weather on Thursday before the blustery conditions return on Friday.
The Met Office has warned the whole of Scotland could be affected at the weekend with travel disruption expected.
Caledonian MacBrayne are keeping a close eye on weather forecasts of the days running up to Christmas to ensure families relying on crossings can make arrangements to ensure they can see loved ones.
The ferry firm is encouraging passengers to keep checking their website and social media for updates about possible disruption.
A CalMac spokesman said: “We are monitoring weather conditions closely in the run-up to the holidays and will review sailings on a case by case basis.”
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “As always, we will be working at the National Traffic Control Centre across the next week to monitor the trunk road network and to make sure that drivers get the information they need to plan their journeys.
“Our operating companies get regular forecasts and prepare accordingly.”
