52ft waves have already been recorded
17,000 people have already lost power supplies and 52ft waves have been recorded as the so called weather bomb hits the country.
Winds are expected to be at their worst this afternoon, but already the first wave of the storm is being experienced by many.
The power went out in the Western Isles of Scotland this morning just before everyone set off for work at around 7am and engineers are working to get it back on as soon as possible.
There is a Spanish fishing vessel just off the coast of Orkney and the Shetland Coastguard has sent a rescue operation comprising of a helicopter and a Stormness Lifeboat to help it passengers.
It also reported that 20 vehicles are trapped on Cairn O’Mount in Aberdeenshire- a high mountain pass.
These conditions are the result of rapid cyclogenisis- or the ‘weather bomb’ to the layman which is simply a deep low pressure system that’s moving east between Scotland and Iceland.
There have been widespread weather warnings throughout Britain as travel is likely to be affected by the 80mph winds and the huge waves that will hit the northern coastal areas.
The Douglas Sea Scale has measured the 52ft waves just off the Outer Hebrides and has been described as phenomenal.
In Scotland, some of the train and ferry services have been cancelled and some bridges have been closed off because of the winds. Schools and nurseries have also been closed in the Western Isles.
The Met offices’ message is be prepared in western Scotland, the highlands, Northern Island, Orkney, Strathclyde and Shetland.
Yellow weather warnings have been broadcast for the south east UK, South West, North West, Yorkshire, North Wales and Humber
Sky News Weather Presenter Nazaneen Ghaffar said: "Scotland, northern England, Northern Ireland and the north of the Republic are today experiencing very stormy conditions, with strong gusty winds and large waves, posing problems for both rush hours and ferry crossings.
"The heavy showers in the north could also produce some hail and thunder, as well as snow across hills and mountains.
"With the strong gusty winds, this could mean drifting and blizzard conditions as well."
The south is more likely to be affected on Thursday night by the second storm from the Atlantic.