The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for “severe gales” for most of Scotland.
The warning will come now into effect from 3am on Friday, after initial forecasts predicted the bad weather to arrive at 5am. It will remain in place until 3pm the same day.
It covers almost all of mainland Scotland as well as the Outer Hebrides and Orkney, but not Shetland.
Police in the Highlands are urging motorists, particularly drivers of high-sided vehicles, to take extra care in the difficult conditions.
Officers are warning some roads and bridges may close due to the conditions, with motorists warned to be aware of flying debris and obstructions.
The strong winds are on the edge of Storm Otto, which is expected to bring hurricane-force winds and flooding to parts of Norway and Denmark.
According to the weather service’s website some areas of Aberdeenshire and the Highlands could have wind gusts of up to 60mph at times.
#StormOtto, has been named by the Danish Meteorological Institute @dmidk
This is our first named storm of the season and is forecast to bring very strong winds to Scotland on Friday
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/jOtCsvxBh6
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 16, 2023
Strong winds could have some effect on travel with ferry services delayed or cancelled due to winds creating rough sea crossings.
Lochmaddy a port for CalMac services in the Outer Hebrides is expected to experience winds of 63mph according to forecasts.
Maximum wind gust forecasts on Friday for the Highlands and Islands, Aberdeenshire and Moray
- Inverness – 47mph
- Aberdeen – 53mph
- Stornoway – 52mph
- Portree – 58mph
- Oban – 54mph
- Peterhead – 58mph
- Fraserburgh – 58mph
- Stonehaven – 52mph
- Thurso – 59mph
- Kirkwall – 50mph
- Fort William – 53mph
- Elgin – 58mph
- Banff – 59mph
The Met Office warns of “severe gales” with most travelling in a south westerly direction.
However, while it may be windy places on the east coast including Aberdeen will experience sunshine throughout Friday.
The same cannot by said for west coast towns including Fort William, Oban and Stornoway with rain throughout the morning with some sunshine in the afternoon.
Temperatures in Inverness and Aberdeen will hover between 7C and 11C although the wind chill is expected to make it feel much colder.
Conversation