Heavy rain and possible thunder will be followed by a warmer, sunny weekend in the North East, according to predictions.
Weather forecasters at the Met Office say this week's grey and dreary conditions will be replaced by "sunny spells".
But rain is still a possibility, and clouds may make an appearance.
A Met Office spokesperson predicted conditions would be: "Fresher with sunny spells and showers on Friday, these locally heavy and possibly thundery.
"Largely dry Saturday and Sunday with sunny spells, but some rain possible later Sunday in the north."
In Newcastle, Saturday's temperatures are likely to peak at 17°C: the day will start sunny but clouds could start to appear by lunchtime. Sunday will be warmer, with highs of 19°C, with and a of 13°C.
In Sunderland, Saturday will also bring highs of 17°C, with sunny conditions which could later become "overcast". On Sunday, the city will see highs of 19°C and "sunny intervals".
Predictions are similar in Northumberland and County Durham, will sun likely to appear over the weekend alongside temperatures up to 19°C, but with cloud appearing into the afternoon.
Similarly, the BBC's weather forecasters predict "sunny intervals and a moderate breeze" in the North East over the weekend.
Looking further ahead, next week is set to be "mostly dry and settled for many areas", although some "unsettled conditions with spells of rain and strong winds" may affect the north of England at times.
Temperatures are likely to be mostly around normal for the time of year.
