Overview

• Amber wind alerts cover parts of northern and western Scotland and Northern Ireland, with yellow wind warnings expanded to all UK regions through Saturday.
• Exposed areas of western and northern Scotland could see 95–100mph gusts, with 60–70mph more widely and a danger to life from flying debris in amber zones.
• Western Scotland may receive 30–50mm of rain in 6–9 hours, and flood warnings are in place for Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
• Disruption is underway as ScotRail closes multiple northern routes from 6pm with wider speed restrictions, Cairnryan–Larne ferries are cancelled, and schools in parts of Northern Ireland closed at noon.
• Power operators have pre‑deployed crews, with SSEN mobilising hundreds of staff, and officials advise securing property and checking journeys as winds ease for most by Saturday afternoon but stay strong in the far north.