Storm Francis Torrential Weather Set for the North East

Storm Francis Torrential Weather Set for the North East.
Storm Francis set to bring torrential rain, flooding and gale-force winds to the North East. Downpours are expected throughout Tuesday and into Wednesday morning as Storm Francis arrives in the UK.

A new storm, named by the Met Office as Storm Francis, is making its way east over the Atlantic before wreaking havoc when it hits the UK. A spell of very wet and windy weather is predicted, with total rainfall accumulations expected to reach as much as 60-80 mm in a few places.

A weather warning for rain is now in place covering most of the North East all day on Tuesday and overnight until 6am on Wednesday. Newcastle, Northumberland, County Durham, Gateshead and North Tyneside are under the warning zone and could see torrential downpours and some flash flooding.

There is a chance of thunder and lightning in places too.

The unseasonal weather follows quickly behind Storm Ellen, which swept strong winds over the North East on Friday.

The Met Office said that from Monday night there would be wind gusts of 60mph and potentially 70mph in exposed western locations. Chief Meteorologist Andy Page said: “The UK is in for another unseasonably wet and windy spell with Storm Francis arriving on Tuesday.

“There will be strong winds and heavy rain, especially in the west of the UK. A number of severe weather warnings have been issued and these warnings can be updated regularly so please keep up to date with the latest Met Office forecast.”