STRONG winds of up to 80mph are expected to hit Scotland next week as the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning.
The warning is in place for the whole of Scotland between the hours of 8pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday.
Meteorologists said the extreme weather, caused by a deep area of low pressure passing to the north of Scotland, will likely cause strong winds in parts of northern England too.
Forecasters said travel could be disrupted in the affected areas, such as ferry crossings, during the high winds and there could also be some damage to buildings.
They said there is also a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, including mobile phone coverage.
The Met Office said while gusts of 60mph are expected “fairly widely” across Scotland, there remains “uncertainty” on how the Central Belt might be affected.
The stronger 80mph winds will “most likely” be felt over the north of mainland Scotland and the islands of Lewis and Orkney.
Operational meteorologist at the Met Office Dan Stroud said: “We are expecting a deep area of low pressure to pass to the north of Scotland late Tuesday and into Wednesday.
“It is likely to bring a spell of strong and gusty winds to much of Scotland and northern England.
“The strongest winds will be across Scotland with gusts fairly widely up to 60mph and a risk of gusts reaching 80mph, most likely over the north of mainland Scotland, Lewis and Orkney.”
