The Met Office has issued a stark warning for Newcastle upon Tyne as the city prepares for potentially destructive hail and thunderstorms on Wednesday. A yellow weather warning will be in place from 10:00 BST to 19:00 BST, covering much of England and parts of Wales.
Forecasters predict short but intense downpours, with some areas seeing 20-30mm of rain in under an hour - a recipe for localised flooding in urban areas and on roads. This will create treacherous conditions for commuters and travellers alike.
The warning affects a broad central and eastern swathe of England, encompassing major cities like Leeds, Manchester, and Birmingham. Newcastle is particularly susceptible to these conditions, with other regions such as the East Midlands, West Midlands, and parts of Yorkshire and Humber also included. In Wales, the eastern counties are most likely to be affected.
Northern Ireland and Scotland largely escape this warning for Wednesday, with a generally drier and brighter forecast in Scotland - though western areas may see some light showers. Northern Ireland will experience a mix of sunshine and isolated showers.
Temperatures in the warned areas are expected to be around 19-20°C, contributing to a warm but humid atmosphere that's conducive to thunderstorms. Wind speeds will be light to moderate, gusting higher during storms - potentially reaching 30-40 mph.
The Met Office advises residents to prepare for possible power cuts and take precautions when travelling, including checking local flood alerts and avoiding unnecessary travel during peak storm activity.