(Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
After weeks of mainly dry and warm weather, rain has finally returned to the North East, bringing a cooler and wetter start to today.
The latest Met Office forecast shows a high likelihood of precipitation through much of Thursday (August 20), particularly during the morning hours.
While the wet weather may mean umbrellas are needed for the morning commute, the return of rain is likely to be welcomed by many after an extended spell of settled summer conditions.
Gardens, parks and green spaces across the region have experienced weeks of relatively dry weather, and the fresh rainfall should provide some much-needed moisture.
According to the Met Office forecast, Darlington will remain unsettled throughout much of the day, with rain chances remaining high during the morning before gradually easing later on.
Temperatures are also expected to be noticeably cooler, with highs of around 16C.
The rain isn't here to stay though, with forecasts suggesting conditions will, once again, turn towards dry heading into Friday and the weekend.
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The current forecast indicates that Saturday and Sunday should also be largely dry, with sunshine returning and temperatures recovering to around 17C.
The rest of Durham has much of the same, with areas such as Bishop Auckland also having a very wet start to the day.
So, while Thursday is shaping up to be the wettest day of the week (and possibly the month so far), the latest forecasts suggest relief from the dry heat will be short-lived.
Thursday weather forecast:
7am – 13C, 80% chance of rain, wind speed 5mph.
8am – 13C, 80% chance of rain, wind speed 6mph.
9am – 13C. 80% chance of rain, wind speed 7mph.
10am – 14C, 60% chance of rain, wind speed 7mph.
11am – 15C. 50% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.
12pm – 16C, 50% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.
1pm – 16C, 50% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.
2pm – 16C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 10mph.
3pm – 16C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 10mph.
4pm – 16C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 10mph.
5pm – 16C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.
6pm – 16C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.
7pm – 15C, 40% chance of rain, wind speed 9mph.