The gusts are expected to create very dangerous driving conditions and cause significant disruption to all travel.

Meanwhile the rest of Scotland is covered by amber and yellow alerts for wind and snow for much of the day:

A further yellow weather warning is in place for part of Scotland on Saturday.

The Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was “vital” that people followed public safety guidance during the storm.

In Northern Ireland, which has also had a red weather warning issued, all schools across the country are already confirmed to close.

A spokesperson for East Ayrshire Council said it was a difficult decision to close all schools, early learning centres and education hubs, but that “safety of children and young people is paramount”.

Storm Éowyn – the first named storm of the year in the UK – will see winds rapidly increase from west to east throughout Friday morning into the afternoon, according to the Met Office.

Peak gusts of 80-90mph are expected to impact fairly widely in areas covered by the alert.

The weather service’s chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of red warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.

“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the red warning areas.”

The Met Office added, external winds will gradually ease throughout Friday evening.