A storm expected to hit Scotland later this week has been named.
Storm Abigail is the first to be officially named as part of a project run by the Met Office in which members of the public put forward suggestions of what to call a storm.
Abigail is forecast to bring strong winds across the far north of the UK on Thursday evening into Friday, with the potential to cause some disruption.
It comes after a yellow “be aware” warning was issued for wind across the north west and north of Scotland which is likely to see severe gales on Thursday.
The Met Office said gusts of 60-70mph are expected, with some gusts of more than 80mph in exposed locations, before winds begin to ease across the Western Isles and the mainland on Friday morning and across the Northern Isles that afternoon.
Eddy Carroll, chief meteorologist, said: “There remains some uncertainty regarding the exact extent and timing of the strongest winds but current forecasts suggest that this storm could have some medium impacts such as disruption to transport, and so a warning has been issued and the first storm has been named as Abigail.”
It is hoped the “name our storms” project by the Met Office and Met Eireann will help raise awareness of severe weather and ensure greater safety of the public.
Storms are being named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK and/or Ireland.