High winds and huge waves are affecting north-western parts of the UK as bad weather hits power supplies and travel.
The "weather bomb" has brought hundreds of lightning strikes, temporarily cutting power across the Western Isles, affecting 17,000 homes.
The Met Office has warned parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland to "be prepared" as the rapidly developing storm threatens gusts of up to 80mph.
Wind speeds are expected to peak on Wednesday afternoon and early evening.
Explosive cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a "weather bomb" - is when a storm intensifies as the pressure at its centre drops rapidly (by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours).
The storm currently affecting parts of the UK formed in this way.
Weather bombs happen fairly regularly.
There are usually several each year and they are more common in winter.
They are more likely to happen when the jet stream is strong.
Whether the weather bomb has an impact on the UK depends on where it happens.
Power supplier Scottish and Southern Energy said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, but electricity has now been restored to most homes.
Western Isles Council said all schools and nurseries would be closed, along with many other facilities. Many schools in the Highlands are also closed.
In Aberdeenshire, about 20 vehicles got stuck in icy conditions on the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road. A gritter was sent and the vehicles were later freed.
Ahead of the forecast storms, ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne warned of severe disruption to its services.
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