Sunderland weather forecast: Wet start to the new week, with brighter spells as the day goes on

The North East can expect a rainy start, followed by some sunshine, according to the latest Met Office forecast.

What will the weather be like on the morning of Monday, December 16?

Forecasters expect the North East to have a rainy morning, with heavy showers at times.

The downpour will start from around 6am in the north of the region, with showers expected until around 9am to the south.

The temperature is expected to range between 2C and 4C.

Will it get any better as the day goes on?

Yes, with it likely to clear through the morning, leaving a drier afternoon with sunny spells, although the team do warn the odd shower is possible.

We can expect to see the sun shine from between 9am and 10am onwards.

The maximum temperature will be 7C, but it’s more likely to hover around the 4C or 5C mark.

How cold will it get tonight?

It’s expected to be around 2C or 3C across the region and it will stay dry into the night.

What about the next few days ahead?

Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly dry with sunny spells after a frosty start and the risk of freezing fog.

Thursday will be cloudy with rain and turning less cold.

What can we expect later on in the week and beyond Christmas Day?

From Thursday, December 19, until Saturday, December 28, the Met Office suggests it will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain to begin, heaviest in the south and west of the country, but moving towards the north and eastwards.

It has warned there is a risk of snow in the northern hills, with likely frost overnight.

Thereafter, it will turn milder and unsettled again as further bands of rain and strong winds edge in from the west.

It will be changeable and sometimes windy, which will probably last for the rest of the period.

Most of the rain will probably be in the west with drier spells more likely in the east and southeast of the country.

Snow may occur at times in the north, mainly on high ground.