The North East is set to be battered by strong winds today after enjoying a dose of sunny weather this week.
Strong winds could cause chaos across the region with delays and disruptions possible on both the roads and public transport.
The strongest gusts will be felt on Thursday morning with wind speeds gradually easing through the afternoon before returning overnight.
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A Met Office weather forecast for Thursday says: "A bright start, but cloud soon increasing, bringing some outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. These will mainly be across western hills, where hill fog is also likely.
"Strong winds will gradually ease through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16 °C."
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, strong winds will pick up again particularly over high ground while the Met Office is also predicting some fog.
And for Friday, a weather forecast says: "Rather cloudy and windy with some further outbreaks of light rain and drizzle, predominantly across western hills. Maximum temperature 19 °C."
Looking ahead to the weekend, it will remain cloudy on Saturday with some patchy light rain while Sunday will see sunny spells and a few showers.
A band of heavy rain and strong winds will move eastwards overnight and clear to showers by Monday.
Here is an hour-by-hour weather forecast for Thursday:
6am: 15°C / Cloudy/ less than 5% chance of precipitation
7am: 14°C / Cloudy/ less than 5% chance of precipitation
8am: 14°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
9am: 14°C / Cloudy/ less than 5% chance of precipitation
10am: 14°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
11am: 14°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
12pm: 14°C / Overcast/ 10% chance of precipitation
1pm: 14°C / Overcast/ 10% chance of precipitation
2pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
3pm: 15°C / Overcast/ 10% chance of precipitation
4pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
5pm: 15°C / Overcast/ 10% chance of precipitation
6pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ less than 5% chance of precipitation
7pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
8pm: 15°C / Overcast/ 10% chance of precipitation
9pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
10pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
11pm: 15°C / Cloudy/ 10% chance of precipitation
