The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms for the North East, with heavy showers and thunderstorms expected to bring lightning and hail.
The warning is in effect from 7pm on Wednesday, August 19, until 10am on Thursday, August 20. It covers parts of Yorkshire and Humber, North West England, Wales and the East Midlands, in addition to the North East.
Heavy rain and travel disruption
According to the Met Office, heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to cause travel disruption and flash flooding. The weather service said: "Heavy showers will develop this evening, becoming more frequent and widespread overnight."
It added: "These are likely to bring 15 to 20 mm in an hour in some areas with as much as 30 to 50 mm falling in a period of six hours in some places. These accumulations may lead to a few places seeing some flooding."
Alongside the rain, some showers are expected to be thundery, bringing additional hazards of lightning and hail. The showers will ease from the northwest on Thursday morning.
Driving conditions and power outages
During the warning period, driving conditions could be affected by spray, standing water and/or hail, leading to delays on the roads. Delays to train services are also possible. The Met Office warned that flooding of homes and businesses is likely, and there could be "some short-term loss of power and other services."
Issuing further advice, the Met Office said: "Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items."
It added: "If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. If you are on an elevated area, move to lower ground."
Affected areas in the North East
The Met Office has listed the North East areas covered by the yellow warning for thunderstorms: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, and Sunderland.
