AN unusually strong jetstream is whipping up 50ft waves that will crash into Scotland 48 hours earlier than previously forecast.
Weather experts had predicted the country would be battered by torrential rain and hurricane-force winds from Thursday onwards.
But they now say the huge storm is speeding up over the Atlantic to hit landfall earlier than thought.
Most of Scotland is set to be hit as high winds, rain, snow and lightning sweep in from the Atlantic later today.
The Met Office has issued a yellow “be aware” warning for the Highlands and Islands, northern Strathclyde and central Scotland and throughout tomorrow and Thursday.
Gales are likely at times along the west coast and the Northern Isles with winds gusting to about 55mph and in some cases 70mph.
Frequent lightning may be an additional hazard across the Northern and Western Isles and the west coast in particular, with the potential for disruption to power supplies, it added.
The weather is being influenced by the jet stream over the Atlantic, which the forecaster said was “unusually strong” at the moment.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has warned of possible disruption to its services this week and into weekend.
Operations director Drew Collier said: “Weather forecasts for the west are predicting a stormy week for many, especially as we near the weekend when people will be travelling home for Christmas.
“We will review sailings on a case-by-case basis but would advise anyone planning to travel by ferry to take this into account when planning journeys in the next few days.”
South Devon-based Magic- seaweed.com produces swell charts that are used by surfers around the world. Its chart for this week shows swell of up to 50ft in the North Atlantic during the forecasted high winds.
If the severity of the storm increases the Met Office will name it Barbara when it has the risk of amber or red warnings for wind or rain. It will be the second of the season after Storm Angus brought 97mph winds, power cuts and floods on November 19.
The Met Office is warning the “deep Atlantic depressions” will continue to arrive in Scotland until Ne’erday.
Forecaster Olly Claydon said: “We are keeping the situation under constant review. If a storm is named, we will make an announcement.
“It looks wet and windy from Tuesday evening onwards, with gusts up to 70mph and 20-40mm of rain possible on Wednesday in western Scotland.
“We are keeping an eye on low pressure systems coming in from Friday, with wet and windy conditions on Christmas Day.
“The outlook to January 1 is for a succession of deep Atlantic depressions bringing bands of heavy rain across all parts.
“Winds will often be strong, with periods of gales, and the potential for stormy conditions at times in the north-west of the UK, and colder interludes with the risk snow especially across high ground in the North of the UK.”
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