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".

Hospitals across central Scotland have cancelled outpatient appointments as the country is hit with hurricane-force winds by Storm Eowyn. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and NHS Fife have cancelled outpatient procedures.