The Met Office has issued a severe gale warning for the Western Isles area.
High winds are expected to increase to storm force 10 for a period on Saturday.
Gusts of 50 to 60mph are likely as the band of bad weather sweeps over the islands.
Rough seas will affect ferry services.
Squally wintry showers with sleet or snow are expected from Saturday morning.
The cold and unstable northerly or northwesterly airflow is due to a deep area of low pressure currently off southwestern Norway.
It will gradually transfer southwards down the North Sea during the next couple of days.
Bright intervals, low temperatures and cold, wintry weather is expected to continue into early next week.
Stormy and cold wintry weather in store
30 January 2015