An emergency alert has been sent to millions of people in Scotland ahead of a rare red weather warning. People with compatible mobile phones living in the 22 council areas of the country expected to be worst hit by the storm received the alert at approximately 18:00.

Storm forecasters say "a strong event cannot be ruled out" in the UK - with an explosive cyclogenesis caused by a major drop in air pressure bringing the "risk of a few tornados".

People in the areas affected by a rare red “danger to life” weather warning issued for parts of Scotland on Friday should not travel, the First Minister has announced. John Swinney said police would issue a formal do not travel notice later for the area covered by the red weather warning for wind on Friday the peak of Storm Eowyn.