People in parts of Scotland have been urged to avoid travel and stay at home, with Storm Babet expected to bring severe flooding and disruption.
The Met Office has issued a rare red weather warning for "exceptional" rainfall in Aberdeenshire and Angus, stating there is a risk to life.
And amber and yellow warnings for wind and rain cover other parts of the UK.
The storm is currently hitting Ireland, with the army deployed to a town where more than 100 properties were flooded.
The Met Office weather warning runs from 18:00 on Thursday until noon on Friday, with between 10-15cm (4-6in) of rain expected to fall quite widely within the warning period and some locations likely to see between 20-25cm (8-10in).
The red warning states there is "danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater" in Aberdeenshire and Angus, with extensive flooding and road closures also expected, as well as warning of wind gusts in excess of 70mph (113km/h) affecting coastal areas.
It also warned of collapsed or damaged buildings and power cuts, and said some areas could be cut off for days.
Angus Council confirmed that schools in the region will close at lunchtime on Thursday and remain closed on Friday.
