Scotland is to be hit by gusts of up to 70mph and power cuts as Storm Erik sweeps the country.

High winds and heavy rain are expected to cause travel chaos as the Met Office issued weather warnings from Friday morning until Saturday afternoon.

While the west coast is expected to be worst hit, Police Scotland have also warned drivers across the Highlands, Angus Aberdeenshire, moray, Perth, Kinross, Stirlingshire and Argyll and Bute.

Flooding already hit commuters on the M8 this morning as Glasgow was hit with heavy downpours.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also issued a flood warning for most of the country.

Traffic Scotland has urged drivers to be aware of surface spray, leave extra time for journeys and to avoid braking if aquaplaning occurs as forecasters predict inland gusts of 60mph.

The Met Office website reads: "A deep area of low pressure will bring windy and often wet weather across much of the UK on Friday and Saturday.

"A period of particularly strong winds will affect Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Friday, with gusts of 50 to 60mph inland and occasionally 70mph along exposed coasts.

"Winds will ease slightly on Friday evening."