Met Office forecasters have today issued an amber weather warning for the north and north-east of Scotland.
The warning, which means be prepared, predicts heavy wind for large swathes of the north.
A spell of very strong south to southwesterly winds is expected to develop on Friday, with gusts of 80 mph quite likely.
Westerly winds gusting to 90 mph are also expected across parts of western and northern Scotland later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
Forecasters have warned residents to be aware of the potential structural damage – more likely across the northwest of the warning area – as well as disruption to power supplies and travel, with restrictions on bridges and disruption to ferries.
The Met Office’s Chief Forecaster said: “A deep depression, now named Barbara, will move northeastwards across the Atlantic, passing close to the northwest of Scotland later Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“South to southwesterly winds will increase earliest across the west of the warning area early on Friday, before the strongest winds develop across western then northern Scotland later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“The last place to see winds easing is likely to be Shetland on Saturday morning.”
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Amber & yellow severe weather warnings for #wind have been issued: https://t.co/TmvTfmDfrK. Stay #weatheraware @metofficeuk #StormBarbara pic.twitter.com/MXL9LmIQIc
— Met Office (@metoffice) December 20, 2016
