Storm Amy is set to hit the UK, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to large parts of the country.
Wind gusts may reach over 100mph in some areas as the storm sweeps in from the Atlantic, forecasters say.
The Met Office has issued amber warnings for wind for parts of Northern Ireland from 15:00 BST and for western and northern Scotland from 17:00.
A wider, lower level yellow warning for winds and heavy rain has been issued for all of Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as large parts of Wales and north west England.
Some schools in Northern Ireland have been closed as a precaution. Ferries between Northern Ireland and Scotland, and several Scottish rail services, have been cancelled.
Northern and western parts of Scotland will be worst hit by the storm – the first of the season to be named. A Met Office amber warning will be in place until midnight.
Forecasters are expecting gusts of wind of between 60 and 70mph fairly widely, and 80mph in some exposed areas.
Some parts of western Scotland, particularly around Tiree, western Lochaber and Skye, could see gusts of 100mph.
If they do reach 100mph, Amy would be the strongest named storm in the month of October the UK has had since naming began in 2015.
Those living in parts of Scotland’s Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, potential power cuts as well as road closures and damage to buildings.
Several ScotRail services and ferries have been cancelled ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “We are urging people planning to travel on trains, ferries and flights to contact their operators to find out if their service is affected.
“Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.”
Some ferry services between Cairnryan in Scotland and Northern Ireland were cancelled from midday on Friday.
Passengers are advised to check with Stena Line and P&O Ferries before they travel.
The Education Authority in Northern Ireland closed schools in counties Antrim, Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh from midday on Friday “in the interests of safety” due to expected high winds.
Storm Amy will move to the north of the UK through Friday night, when wind speeds are expected to be at their highest. A cold front will also sink southwards bringing heavy rain.
Overnight, the winds will peak across Scotland as heavy rain sweeps south-east across England and Wales, before gradually easing later on Saturday.
On Sunday as the centre of Storm Amy moves out into the North Sea, there will still be strong winds, with another yellow warning in place for parts of northern Scotland.
