Storm Abigail: Weather warnings upgraded to amber as Scotland braces for 90mph winds

The Met Office is warning people to prepare for torrential rain and structural damage caused by severe gales

Huge waves are expected to batter the Scottish coast as gales threaten to cause structural damage inland (AFP/Getty Images)

Weather warnings for Storm Abigail have been upgraded as damaging gusts are forecast to reach 90mph, threatening to topple trees and power cables.

The Met Office previously released a yellow alert for gales across Scotland but changed it to amber in some areas today, urging people to be prepared for possible travel disruption, power cuts, lightning strikes and structural damage.

Abigail, the first storm to be named in a project to raise awareness of severe weather, is expected to hit Scotland tomorrow evening and continue into Friday.

Heavy, blustery showers moving across #Scotland today ahead of #StormAbigail tomorrow evening https://t.co/xng3GNiSkp

— Met Office (@metoffice) November 11, 2015

Forecasters are warning of gusts widely reaching 80mph, huge waves along the coast, lightning and torrential rain.

Emma Sharples, a meteorologist at the Met Office, told The Independent the Highlands, Western Isles and Northern Isles would be worst-affected.

“For anyone under the amber warning there is a risk of travel disruption, power failures, property damage and injury to the public from falling objects,” she said.

“There’s always going to be an impact from that strength of wind.”

She added that although Friday will be a “blustery” day for much of the UK, Storm Abigail will have little impact outside of Scotland and conditions in most of England and Wales being closer to average.

Northern Ireland could catch some stronger winds, with sustained gusts topping 40mph being forecast for Belfast overnight on Thursday.

The rest of the UK will see daytime temperatures of 10-15C, with sunny spells and scattered showers.

The RAC is warning motorists to be wary of sudden gusts of wind, especially in exposed areas.

“The 'invisible' force of the wind can lead to vehicles unexpectedly being knocked off course, sometimes with devastating consequences,” spokesman Simon Williams said.

”Drivers should particularly be ready to compensate for the effects of wind hitting their vehicles when passing lorries.”