First named storm ‘Abigail’ to bring strong winds

'Storm Abigail', the first weather event named by the public in a newly adopted approach by Ireland and UK, is expected to bring heavy winds to the north of the country but largely bypass most of the island.

Last month Met Eireann and the UK Met Office announced the results of a ‘name our storms’ pilot project allowing the public to christen forthcoming storms, an approach familiar in other countries.

“Abigail” lands later this week but because it will mainly affect the UK, the first named storm to properly impact on Ireland could be ‘Barney’ or even a later event.

The UK Met office decided to confirm the storm on Tuesday but the potential threat to Ireland was not considered sufficient to follow suit here. It will, however, result in storm-force winds off the north west coast which may impact on fishing trawlers and other shipping.

Although the weather system has not led to concerns here, AccuWeater, the global weather centre, has said "wind, rain and travel delays to parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom from Thursday into Friday".

Met Eireann issued a status yellow weather warning - the least severe - of southwest winds reaching force six on Tuesday and Wednesday along the coast from Wicklow Head to Roche's Point and Loop Head.

In the UK, the same system is expected to deliver strong winds on Thursday evening into Friday and has prompted a yellow “be aware” national severe weather.

The ‘name our storms’ project is designed to raise awareness of severe weather and ensure greater safety of the public.

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

The two meteorological authorities received thousands of suggestions by email and through Facebook and Twitter.

The winning monikers were: Abigail, Barney, Clodagh, Desmond, Eva, Frank, Gertrude, Henry, Imogen, Jake, Katie, Lawrence, Mary, Nigel, Orla, Phil, Rhonda, Steve, Tegan, Vernon and Wendy.