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Batten down your hatches: The Met Office has issued a huge yellow weather warning - and it's shaped like a giant penis.

The national weather forecaster warns this fierce phallus, which has been aroused by Storm Helene, is most likely to be seen over the west of the country.

And Devon and Cornwall look set to get most heavily hit by more than a stiff breeze, as this windy weather bears down on the UK, bringing 80mph gales - and sending weather cocks spinning.

The region is right at the base of this mighty column of bad weather, which pushes up through Wales and the Irish Sea, before rearing its head over the south western tip of scotland.

This yellow peril is set to come over the UK on Monday evening, from 6pm - and is expected to continue all night and into the following morning.

(Image: Met Office)

The Met Office's warning reads: "Storm Helene is expected to bring a period of very strong winds to western parts of the UK late Monday and for a time on Tuesday."

What to expect

Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible.

Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

Some roads and bridges may close. Fallen trees may be an additional hazard.

There is a small chance that injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.

There is a chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage

Met Office issues yellow alert storm warning for Devon and Cornwall

The Met Office has issued a yellow alert telling people across Devon and Cornwall to prepare for 'very strong winds' as Storm Helene reaches the coast.

The Atlantic ex-hurricane is heading straight for the South West and the Met Office has put a weather warning in place from 6pm on Monday evening.

It will last until 12pm on Tuesday.

The warning says: "Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

"Some roads and bridges may close. Fallen trees may be an additional hazard. There is a small chance that injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts.

"There is a chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage."

A Met Office spokesman said: "Storm Helene is expected to push north-east towards the UK late Monday, before clearing quickly to the north of Scotland through Tuesday morning.

"There remains large uncertainty in Helene's exact track, however a spell of very strong winds is expected, initially for parts of south-west England and west Wales, then later south-west Scotland and the south-east of Northern Ireland.

"Winds are likely to gust to 55-65 mph quite widely in the warning area, with possible gusts of 70-80 mph in exposure."

A section of Wales and the Cornish peninsular are expected to bear the brunt of any storm-like weather, although much of the rest of England could be noticeably windier by the time Helene hits land on Tuesday morning.

Emma Smith, meteorologist with the Exeter-based Met Office, said more details would emerge within the next day over what impact the storm might have.

She said: "Helene is moving up from the Atlantic towards us.

(Image: PA Graphics)

"Hurricane Joyce is also in the Atlantic so we need to see how those two systems are going to move around each other because that could have an impact.

"It looks like Helene will move towards Ireland on Tuesday morning. It's possible that the west coast of Wales and Cornwall could get some winds as well, but we will get a clearer picture of what to expect very soon."

The storm would be expected to die out by Wednesday, Ms Smith said.

The adverse conditions should move eastwards on Wednesday with brighter spells and occasional showers behind. It should remain unsettled for several days with outbreaks of rain punctured by sunny spells and showers.

A spokesperson for The Weather Channel said: “The uncertainty in the forecast remains on Tuesday.

“There will be a dry and sunny start for England and Wales. Overcast with moderate to heavy rain for south-west England, Wales, Ireland, north-west England and Scotland with fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds through the afternoon and evening.

“Warmer and more humid air from the south will lift temperatures between 21 to 27C but 18 to 24C across the north. There is a risk winds could be damaging winds over south-west England through the evening but confidence is low.”

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