The arrival of Storm Barbara over the festive period may wreak havoc with Christmas travel plans as gusts of up to 90mph are set to batter parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Forecasters have warned that power supplies may be hit, ferries delayed, flights grounded and bridges closed due to strong winds on Friday and Christmas Eve.
Western and northern Scotland are expected to be worst-affected by the gale-force winds overnight on Friday.
An amber weather warning is in place for the Scottish highlands and Shetlands, where gusts of 80-90mph are forecast into Christmas Eve.
Parts of Northern Ireland and northern England will also be hit, the Met Office has warned, with gales of between 60mph and 80mph expected on Friday and the early hours of Christmas Eve.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has said 21 of its 26 routes had already been disrupted by the weather, with several services cancelled.
The MET Office has advised anyone with plans to travel on these days to seriously consider making alternative arrangements.