Met Office warning issued as Abigail-force winds set to hit Glasgow

A Met Office spokesman said: “A vigorous depression is expected to pass just to the north west of Scotland on Thursday night, bringing a swathe of very strong winds on its eastern and southern flanks”.

CalMac’s Drew Collier urged travellers to “think carefully” if planning to visit the west coast.

Potential power cuts are also expected.

The storm, named Abigail, is the first of a list of names chosen by the public for this autumn and winter, and it is expected to bring gale force winds across Scotland, with the risk of damaging gusts to the north.

High wind warnings are in place for key crossings, including the Erskine and Kessock bridges, while warnings of surface water have been issued for key commuter routes the M90 and M74.

The Met Office announced its Name Our Storms project in September, and thousands of suggestions were e-mailed in, including winners such as Nigel, Gertrude, Rhonda, Phil and Steve.

The other covers the upper Solway Firth between Gretna and Caerlaverock – the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust’s wetland centre where the BBC’s live Autumnwatch series was based last week.

Storm Abigail will move away towards Scandinavia quite quickly, meaning that the winds should subside notably during Friday afternoon.

The strongest gale of 84mph was recorded in the Outer Hebrides and this morning the Scottish Highlands, and Orkney and Shetland Islands are being warned to prepare for Storm Abigail.

The Met Office has a Level 2 severe weather warning in place for Scotland and the North, which is likely to take the brunt of the hammering.

“Gusts of 60-70 miles per hour are likely with the possibility of gusts to 80-90 miles per hour in exposed locations across the north and west of the area”.

Forecasters at AccuWeather are predicting the heaviest rainfall and strongest winds will sweep from Northern Ireland through Scotland, with gusts as high as 70mph in the worst affected areas.

The warning is in effect until 9pm this evening.

“Lightning associated with frequent showers will be an additional hazard, whilst large waves may lead to over-topping along a few coasts and causeways”.