The North East has been treated to some glorious summer sunshine over the past few days - but soak it up while you can, as it's all set to change over the weekend according to the latest forecast.
The Met Office has announced that unsettled conditions are on the way for the UK, meaning we can kiss goodbye to the June heatwave that has swept across the country this week. The dry and sunny conditions could reach a peak of as high as 28C on Friday, June 16, before giving way to downpours and stormy weather as we head into Saturday and Sunday.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Steven Keates said: "Over the coming days we'll be transitioning to a more unsettled regime for the UK, though temperatures will remain high and it'll feel very humid for many. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely to become more frequent through the weekend, with the potential for associated hail, lightning and some gusty winds."
READ MORE: Expert explains your rights when working in hot weather and what your employer should do
He added: "There's an ongoing likelihood of warnings being issued in the coming days, so keep an eye on the weather forecast for the latest outlook." The forecast for the North East predicts another sunny morning on Friday, with chances of cloud developing by the afternoon.
The look ahead for Saturday to Monday in the region forecasts conditions becoming increasingly unsettled over the weekend, with "an increasing risk of thunderstorms giving hail and torrential downpours". The Met Office also predicts that it will begin to feel more humid over the weekend, and that coastal fog may occasionally move inland overnight.
Despite the shift to more thundery conditions, temperatures are still expected to remain above average for this time of year as a plume of warm air continues to impact the UK. The Met Office forecast for Newcastle predicts highs of 20C on Saturday, before dipping down to a slightly cooler 18C by Sunday.
A Yellow Heat Health Alert issued by the UKHSA remains in place for England until Monday, June 19, with night temperatures expected to remain "well above average" according to the Met Office. The NHS has advice on how to cope in the hot weather, with older people or those with serious or long-term illnesses particularly at risk.
READ NEXT:
