IT’S time for people across Britain and Ireland to batten down the hatches, as Storm Abigail rolls into town.
Weather warnings have been upgraded from yellow to amber in Britain as Abigail makes her way across the Atlantic.
In Ireland, a higher weather alert is in place – with an orange warning issued nationwide.
She is expected to sweep Ireland first before hitting Britain – arriving today and sticking around until the weekend.
Winds of up to 90 mph will hit Britain and Ireland, with northerly areas worst affected.
Scotland and the North of Ireland will feel the brunt of the gale-force wind and rain, while southern parts will escape reasonably well.
Abigail will be at her strongest between 9pm tonight and 12pm tomorrow, while weather warnings will be in place from 6pm tonight until 2pm tomorrow.
She is the first storm to be named in the joint initiative run by the British Met Office and Met Éireann, following the American system.
Abigail will be followed by Barney and Clodagh – with the next 21 storms already named in alphabetical order.