Experts issue fresh weather update as Storm Helene nears Ireland

So, basically, don't forget your brolly. Or raincoat.

Storm Helene is on her way to Ireland - and experts are forecasting some extreme weather once she arrives. The storm is currently expected to hit Ireland on Monday afternoon until early on Thursday morning. Weather experts are saying that Storm Helene will have downgraded to a Post Tropical Storm grade by Monday - although there may still be enough wind and rain to resist in some weather warnings to parts of the country. A spokesperson for the Midland Weather Channel said:

"Details are becoming a little more clear about the effects of Post Tropical Storm Helene which will impact Ireland from Monday afternoon until the early hours of Tuesday morning. "Storm force winds will affect all southern and eastern coastal counties, with gusts up to 130 kph likely in some exposed coastal locations. Winds will reach in excess of 110kph in all Orange warning areas, with winds up to 110kph likely in those areas under a Yellow weather warning. "The strongest of the winds will arrive on Monday afternoon and evening, with the peak intensity likely to occur around 20:00 along the south coast, before transferring to remaining locations between 21:00 and 02:00 on Tuesday morning. "Given the strength of the winds, it does look likely that some disruption to ferry services is likely on the Irish Sea, with cancellations of fast ferry sailings likely. "Some minor power disruptions are likely also, particularly in the southeast. Any loose objects should be secured over the weekend also, especially garden furniture and summer items."

They further added that Waterford, Cork, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath, Louth are likely to be issued an orange weather warning and be hit with storm force winds. Meanwhile, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan are predicted to be issued a yellow  weather warning and be hit with severe gales. Met Éireann have remained more cautious with their forecast, but said that yellow-level impacts are "increasingly likely" for the east and south coasts. A statement issued on their website said:

"The latest guidance has shifted the forecast track of Storm Helene a little westward from yesterday with the centre of the low now tracking up over parts of Ireland instead of mainly up through the Irish Sea. "That said, there continues to be large uncertainty in the exact track. Timings are also a little variant, however it still looks as though the main impact will occur on Monday evening/night and early on Tuesday. "Yellow level impacts from wind are looking increasingly likely for coastal districts of the east and south, with strong gales or storm force winds for a time in the Celtic and Irish seas. "Short interval intense rainfall may occur in places, but due to the speed at which the system is moving through, it is not envisaged at this stage that a rain warning will be required, although this aspect will continue to be examined more closely once our high resolution model guidance becomes available on Sunday. "Met Éireann forecasters will continue to monitor the situation and issue warnings, as required, closer to the time."