A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers has been issued in the North East for the weekend.
The Met Office forecasts a chance of heavy showers and thunderstorms across the region, which could cause localised flooding. The alert runs from 9am to 11.59pm on Saturday, covering Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North and South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham.
And while the weather warning is in place across much of England and Scotland, the forecasters predict that heavy showers and thunderstorms will be "mainly focused over northern England and Scotland by late afternoon/evening."
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A Met Office spokesperson said: "Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, during the morning mainly over parts of England before becoming mainly focused over northern England and Scotland by late afternoon/evening.
"Some intense downpours are likely and whilst rainfall accumulations will vary from place to place, as much as 50 mm of rain could fall in a short space of time in some locations. Hail, lightning and gusty winds will be additional hazards."
Saturday's weather warning, which was issued at around 10am this morning, states that there is a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings and temporary outdoor structures from floodwater, lightning strikes, large hail or strong winds.
The Met Office added that there could also be disruption on roads and to public transport. The warning says: "Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services.
"Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures. There is a slight chance that power cuts could occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost."
Here's the Met Office five-day forecast for the North East:
Friday
Patchy cloud and the odd spot of rain during the morning, particularly for the north, but clearing during the day with late sunshine developing. Feeling very warm by the afternoon with winds easing away from the coast. Maximum temperature 26 °C.
Saturday
Increasingly cloudy Saturday as spells of locally heavy rain spread east to all parts into the afternoon and evening with the risk of thunder. Feeling very warm again. Maximum temperature 26 °C.
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday
A mixture of sunshine and showers likely, perhaps turning heavy and thundery at times, particularly into Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures cooling somewhat to generally near average.
