A storm is set to hit mid-Wales later today - but forecasters have downgraded earlier warnings regarding threats to life.

Storm Helene will blast into Wales at around 9pm this evening, with 50mph winds gusting up to 60mph expected along with heavy rain for parts of the region. It's expected to last until 6pm on Tuesday.

The amber warning issued by the Met Office was extended from West Wales to cover the whole country this morning, and says delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely while some damage to trees is possible.

It also says short term loss of power and other services is possible.

The full warning says: "Although now expected to bring less strong winds, the remnants of Storm Helene will move northeast-wards across Wales and England during Monday night and Tuesday. A spell of strong winds is expected, initially mainly in the far southwest of England and across west and south Wales. The strongest winds then transferring across the Midlands and parts of northern England during Tuesday morning and into the afternoon. Winds are likely to gust 40-50 mph quite widely across the warning area whilst some coasts and hills of southwest England and Wales could have gusts of 55-60 mph."

County Times: A map showing the path of Storm HeleneA map showing the path of Storm Helene

A Met Office spokesperson said the worst of the winds will be felt over the Irish sea as the storm tracks along the West coast of Wales.

"Helene is still over the Atlantic but it's weakening and we're a lot more confident of what's going to happen," a spokesperson for the Met Office said.

"The centre of the storm will go up through the middle of Ireland and most of the strong winds will be in the Irish sea and to the west of Scotland."

"There is not a danger to life, but we are just saying be prepared for it be very windy for a while," they added.