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.

Bad weather is set to hit the country as Storm Éowyn brings severe gales. The Met Office has issued several weather warnings, including an amber wind warning for parts of north Wales on Friday with gusts of up to 90mph (145km/h) in coastal areas.

Red warnings have been issued for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland on Friday, as the dangerous Storm Éowyn heads towards the UK. The rare warnings for wind mean flying debris could cause a danger to life, with gusts up to 100mph (161km/h) along some exposed coasts.

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.

More weather warnings have been issued in Hampshire as Storm Eowyn bears down on the UK. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain and wind for Sunday and Monday, when the Storm is expected to have passed through.