Preston is now in the eye of the storm from Monday (17 September) evening onwards.

The Met Office has upgraded its weather warning for strong winds throughout Monday night and into the Tuesday morning commute.

Storm Helene is expected to lash the Western areas of the UK and a new weather warning has Preston in the warning area.

The Met Office is warning of potential delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport and a risk of falling trees.

Helene is expected to hit the city from 6pm on Monday through to 8am on Tuesday.

Away from the weather warning, here’s the forecast for the city for the week ahead

Sunday (16 September)

Afternoon – Staying dry, some sunshine breaking through late on around 5pm

Evening – Temperatures staying around 12 degrees, a slim chance of a light shower later on

Monday (17 September)

Morning – Looking fine for the morning commute and the sun breaking through around 7am

Afternoon – A cloudy lunchtime, a slim chance of a light rain shower

Evening – A pleasant evening with sunshine around 6pm and then a clear night as the winds start to pick up

Tuesday (18 September)

Morning – You’ll be awoken by a howling gale, gusts of at least 40mph expected and some rain

Afternoon – The stormy conditions clear to leave some bright sunshine

Evening – That bit of sunshine stays and a fine night ahead, although it’s still breezy

Wednesday (19 September)

Morning – A fine morning, still breezy, but some sunshine around.

Afternoon – A mix of sunshine and showers for the afternoon, temperatures up at 18 degrees

Evening – A damp evening, we will see some light showers and winds do drop back from the gale-force gusts in the afternoon

Thursday (20 September)

Morning – A very wet start and it doesn’t shift for much of the day, with thunderstorms expected around 9am

Afternoon – Some sun breaks through inbetween the showers, rain all the way through to 7pm

Evening – Still some rain and temperatures around 12 degrees

Friday (21 September)

Morning – It’s a sunshine and showers start to Friday, with rain through until around 11am

Afternoon – The rain clears away and it should be a sunny start to the Lancashire Encounter Festival

Evening – As events begin on the Flag Market and Winckley Square the Encounter is starting with a clear night