Schools closed and trains cancelled: Storm Éowyn grows closer
Aberdeenshire council has joined a number of local authorities in shutting learning centres
A number of schools in Aberdeenshire will be closed tomorrow in anticipation of Storm Éowyn.
Banff and Aboyne Academy as well as Alford Primary are among those cancelling lessons.
The local authority is covered by a number of Met Office weather warnings, including an amber for wind.
Experts say that means residents could be faced with gusts of up to 80mph in some areas.
Parts of Aberdeen are also under an amber warning.
Across the rest of the country, all ScotRail train services will be suspended on Friday and a number of councils in the country have also closed schools.
In a statement posted on X, ScotRail said: "With the safety of customers and staff of paramount importance, we will not be safe to operate passenger services due to the forecast weather conditions across Scotland during #StormEowyn.
"All ScotRail services are suspended on Friday January 24.
"We strongly advise you not to travel, as there will be no train services and no alternative transport will be available."
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan said: "Our advice to any road user is not travelling, and that's really the message we want to get across today.
"It's really unusual for us to have a red weather warning and that advice is in place for the duration of that warning."
In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney said: "The storm could bring winds up to 100mph.
"The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.
"We have to be clear, people should not travel.
"Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe."
It is understood Mr Swinney will chair a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room - Scotland's answer to Cobra - on Thursday afternoon, with an update likely later in the day.
Parents and carers can keep up to date with the latest school closures in Aberdeenshire here.