Motorists across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire are being asked not to travel unless necessary with a rare red weather warning in place.
The Met Office has upgraded its weather warning to red for wind in parts of Aberdeenshire with floods expected.
It is in place in parts of southern Aberdeenshire, including Stonehaven and Inverbervie, and stretches down into Angus.
The Met Office say to expect "danger to life from fast flowing or deep floodwater" with homes and businesses expected to be impacted.
The red warning is in place from Thursday evening at 6PM until Midday on Friday, while Aberdeen and other parts of Aberdeenshire are under amber and yellow warnings for wind and then rain until Saturday morning.
Travel disruption
All train services departing from Aberdeen have been cancelled on Thursday and Friday. Inspections will take place on Saturday and lines may reopen with speed restrictions in place.
Network Rail Scotland route director, Liam Sumpter said: "Our top priority is the safety of our passengers and colleagues, so we’ll close lines in the worst affected areas and introduce speed restrictions in others as a precaution.
"Our engineers will thoroughly inspect the network for any damage before we reopen the lines and restart train services.
"Weather specialists, based in our control room, will monitor conditions closely throughout Thursday and Friday, and our teams on the ground will be ready to deal with any issues Storm Babet may cause."
Roads will also be impacted with floods expected and roads and bridges likely to close.
'Do not travel during red warning'
The advice from the police and Transport Scotland is clear: do not travel unless absolutely necessary.
Transport Scotland is also advising people in South Aberdeenshire not to travel at all during Thursday evening and midday on Friday due to the red weather warning.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of road policing, said: "Our advice is to avoid any form of travel during the period of the red weather warning.
"Driving conditions are expected to be extremely dangerous with disruption and significant delays.
"Amber warnings still remain in place for rain and wind so high sided vehicles in those areas should consider how essential their journey is.
"Don’t ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety."
Stein Connelly, from Transport Scotland, added: "We recently witnessed some of the most severe weather in Scotland since the 1890s, and this is looking like another period of extreme weather, which could present a risk to life.
"People need to plan ahead and be prepared.
"Avoid travel unless essential. If you do need to travel, check before your travel as your journey is likely to be affected by these latest severe weather warnings.
"For those in Angus and South Aberdeenshire, the advice is clear – do not travel during the period the red warning is in effect. The rain is expected to present some really challenging conditions."