An Amber warning of exceptionally high winds has been extended to include the Moray and Aberdeenshire coastline.
The Met Office has upgraded their yellow warning for the area warning that hurricane-force winds are likely to strike the Moray coast from later today and into Friday morning.
A spokesman said: “A vigorous depression is expected to run rapidly east passing northern Scotland on Thursday night and Friday morning.
“Winds will begin to increase late on Thursday to give a period of very strong westerly winds across the Western Isles, the north and northwest of the Scottish mainland and Orkney.
“Gusts of 80 to 90 mph are likely quite widely with a risk of gusts of over 100 mph in places, with these strongest gusts most likely along coasts in the far north. Winds should quickly ease from the west during the morning.
“The public should be prepared for the potential for disruption to transport as well as power supplies and the possibility of structural damage. Very large waves may also lead to dangerous conditions along some coasts.”
Forecasters say that the storm force winds will be accompanied by “exceptionally high” sea states.