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Storm Boelo is set to hit the North East around lunchtime today, bringing heavy rain and powerful winds across Darlington and County Durham.
The weather is expected to deteriorate from late morning on Saturday, October 24, before a yellow weather warning for wind comes into force across parts of the region at 12pm.
The warning is due to remain in place until 9pm on Sunday, October 25.
The latest national Met Office forecast says that after a brighter start in some eastern areas, heavy rain and strengthening winds will quickly sweep east as the storm arrives.
Its weekend forecast says rain will spread eastwards through Saturday morning and afternoon, with most parts of the UK having experienced rain and increasingly strong winds by Saturday afternoon.
What time will Storm Boelo hit the North East?
For the North East, the weather is expected to start deteriorating from late morning and around lunchtime, with conditions then worsening through the afternoon and evening.
The warning had originally been due to begin at 6pm before the Met Office brought it forward to 12pm.
The Met Office says Storm Boelo will approach the northwest of the UK during Saturday, before rain spreads eastwards through the morning and afternoon.
This means people in Darlington, County Durham and elsewhere across the North East should expect the weather to become increasingly unsettled as Saturday progresses.
When will the worst of Storm Boelo arrive?
Although conditions will begin deteriorating earlier in the day, the winds are expected to strengthen further later on Saturday and into Sunday.
The Met Office has said the strongest gusts are expected across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England.
Gusts of 60 to 70mph are possible across those wider areas, with potentially higher speeds in exposed locations.
An updated warning issued on Friday said gusts could reach 80mph in some exposed areas, while gusts of 50 to 60mph were expected more widely.
As Storm Boelo continues moving east, the Met Office says heavy rain and strengthening winds will affect many areas, with gales developing and damaging winds possible further north.
Storm Boelo timeline for Saturday
Morning: Some eastern areas will have a brighter start before the weather deteriorates as Storm Boelo moves eastwards.
Late morning: Wet and windy conditions begin developing as the storm's rain moves east.
12pm: The yellow wind warning affecting the region comes into force, having previously been scheduled to begin at 6pm.
Saturday afternoon: Most parts of the UK will have experienced rain and increasingly strong winds, according to the Met Office.
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Saturday evening and overnight: Winds continue to strengthen, with Storm Boelo tracking slowly east.
Sunday: Strong winds remain across many areas, with gales in the northeast, before gradually easing as the storm moves away.
Residents have been advised to secure loose outdoor items, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds and fences.