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 Darragh in December was the last time a red weather warning was issued. Before this the last one was in January 2024 when winds battered the north east of Scotland.

Red weather warnings have been issued by the Met Office this morning as violent 100mph winds are set to batter the UK. Experts have predicted Storm Eowyn will pose a serious 'danger to life' after record-breaking gales of 114mph were recorded this morning in the worst-hit areas of Ireland.

A rare red weather warning for "violent storm force winds" has been issued for the peak of Storm Éowyn on the Isle of Man on Friday. Ronaldsway Met Office said gusts of up to 85mph (137km/h) were set to hit the island between 07:00 and 14:00 GMT, representing a risk to life from flying debris.

Several weather warnings - ranging from yellow to red - have been issued across the country, with the worst conditions expected to hit Northern Ireland and Scotland

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".

The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning in place for Reading and areas across the south east as Storm Eowyn brings strong winds to the area.

The Met Office has warned Storm Eowyn could see winds of up to 90mph hammer parts of the UK, with 'widespread disruption and significant impacts expected'