STORM Erik looks set to batter the Tyne Valley with gusts of wind up to 70mph this weekend.
The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Saturday which will be in place between 12.15am and 3pm.
The stormy weather has been given the name Storm Erik by authorities, making it the first official storm of 2019.
Strong westerly winds are expected to move east through Saturday morning, easing from the west during the day. Inland gusts of 55 mph are expected quite widely, with some places having gusts to 70 mph, particularly around exposed coasts and hills.
The Met Office said that it was possible people would experience some delays to public transport and some short term loss of power.
Met Office chief meteorologist, Will Lang, said: “Southwesterly winds will strengthen across the UK on Friday, so it’s going to be a windy day for everyone.
"Across southern parts of the UK gusts will reach 40mph widely inland, however the strongest winds are expected across Northern Ireland and Scotland, with gusts of 50 to 60mph possible. This swathe of strongest winds will spread to parts of northern England early on Saturday morning."
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