Friday will also be cold, with thundery rain and hail showers and strong westerly winds throughout the day.
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The storm was the first weather system affecting the country to merit a name as part of the Met Office “name our storms” project, which asked the public to suggest names.
Weather warnings have also been issued, and a yellow rain warning is in place across Merseyside on Saturday.
All of North Wales is expected to be battered by Storm Abigail as it crashes into the North West of the UK.
The amber “be prepared” weather warning for wind covers the far north west of Highland, along with the Western Isles and Orkney from 9pm Thursday until midday on Friday.
Ferry operator CalMac – which operates ferries to and from the Scottish islands – is warning of likely disruption to services.
Emma Sharpels of the Met Office said: “Disruption to travel is a possibility and in the area of the amber warning there could be disruption to power sources”.
“Gusts of 70 to 80 miles per hour are likely, and perhaps 90 miles per hour across exposed locations”.
The worst of the weather will affect Scotland but wind and rain is expected in Hampshire, with gusts of up to 35mph and 38mph in Lymington.
He added conditions could well be “too treacherous” to sail in.
Abigail struck earlier than Britain’s Met Office (formerly the Meteorological Office) had predicted, closing schools, shutting ferry services and canceling flights.
A force spokesman said: “In addition to the high winds and lightning, there are warnings of large waves which may lead to overtopping along costal routes and causeways”.
The first named storm of the season will bring wind, rain and travel delays to parts of Ireland and the United Kingdom from Thursday into Friday.
The storm is the first to be named by the Met Office as part of a project to increase awareness of severe weather and improve safety.
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The forecast says it will feel much colder today, with blustery showers and strong gales in places.
