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The first storm potent enough to be get a human name - given by the public - is set to hit the north of the UK later this week, the Met Office has said.

Storm Abigail is the first weather system affecting the British Isles to bear such a tag as part of the "name our storms" project, using names chosen by the public.

It will bring strong winds across the far north of the UK on Thursday evening into Friday, prompting a yellow "be aware" national severe weather warning of a risk of disruption caused by wind in the north and north-west of Scotland.

The Met Office said the north and north-west of Scotland are likely to see severe south-westerly gales later on Thursday with strong winds extending across the Northern Isles through into Friday morning.

The forecasters said gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour 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.

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(Image: getty)

Eddy Carroll, chief meteorologist, said: "There remains some uncertainty regarding the exact extent and timing of 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.

(Image: Met Office) (Image: Met Office)

Storm are being named when they are deemed to have the potential to cause a substantial impact in the UK and/or Ireland.

Abigail is the first on the list of winning names, followed by Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude, Henry, Imogen, Jake, Katie, Lawrence, Mary, Nigel, Orla, Phil, Rhonda, Steve, Tegan, Vernon and Wendy.