(Image: CHRIS DURIE)
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued across the North East as heavy showers and thunderstorms are set to hit the region.
The Met Office warning is in place from 7pm today (Wednesday, August 19) until 10am on Thursday (August 20).
It covers Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton, and Sunderland.
Heavy showers are expected to develop this evening before becoming more frequent and widespread overnight.
The Met Office said some areas could see 15 to 20mm of rain fall in an hour, with as much as 30 to 50mm possible over a six-hour period.
They have warned that the heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in some places.
Some of the showers are also expected to be thundery, bringing the additional hazards of lightning and hail.
The showers are expected to ease from the north-west on Thursday morning.
The Met Office predicts that for Darlington, temperatures will remain slightly below the seasonal average today, with a maximum of 20C and potential thunderstorms later.
Today it will be a mostly cloudy day with scattered showers. Showers may turn heavy at times with a risk of hail and thunder. Light winds will freshen a little during the showers. Temperatures slightly below the seasonal average. Maximum temperature 20 °C.
Tonight it will remain rather cloudy through the evening and overnight with further showers, some perhaps turning heavy and thundery, giving some surface water issues. A cool night to come. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
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The region is expected to remain rather cloudy through tonight, with further showers, some of which could become heavy and thundery.
The Met Office has warned of possible surface water issues, with temperatures dropping to a minimum of 9C overnight.
Light winds will freshen a little during the showers.