Weather warning issued for Sunderland as high winds are expected to batter North East

The forecasters expect the North East to experience yet more gusts winds from around noon on Saturday, February 29, and into Sunday, March 1, at noon.

The worst affected areas covered by the warning, which also includes large sections of England and Wales, will experience winds of up to 60mph.

The prediction from the Met Office is that Sunderland will have sunny spells as the warning begins and winds of 34mph hit Wearside, rising to 40mph by 3pm.

The wind speed will dip just below that level as the day progresses, with light rain to move in as night falls.

The winds will be at their height at 6am on the Sunday, with the speeds likely to only dip below that point as the day begins, and while it will be around 4C at this point, it will feel as cold as -2C at this early hour.

However, the forecast does expect it to be sunny at 9am and into the morning and while the warning only stretches until noon, the high winds will continue, with speeds of 34mph tailing down to 23mph due.

The Met Office has said as part of the yellow weather warning: “A spell of strong winds is expected to move North East across a large swathe of the UK through Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.”

“Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely.

“Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely.

“It’s likely that some coastal routes, sea fronts and coastal communities affected by spray and/or large waves.”

The warning will follow on from a Friday which will see a dry start, but outbreaks of rain spreading in from mid-morning.

These may initially be wintry but should turn increasingly to rain with snow mainly on hills during the afternoon, with a maximum temperature of 6C.

The forecast for Monday is for showers, but it will be less windy.