North East weather: Your weekend forecast

The wind will drop later today, but is expected to make a fierce return early next week.

There may be clouds in the sky, but milder weather is on the way to the region.

Weather watchers across the North East got drenched this morning as heavy rain and wild wind swept across the area - but, according to the Met Office, we're about to get warmer temperatures at last.

The rest of Friday will be drier and brighter for most, with overnight temperatures at a minimum of 2°C.- practically tropical compared to some recent overnight chills.

We may not have had a proper winter just yet, but a few weeks of minuses really is enough to be going on with!

Tomorrow will be mainly dry with some broken cloud and bright spells forecast - and only the Pennines will suffer with an isolated shower or two.

Brace yourselves - the North East will have maximum temperatures of 9°C tomorrow, with Sunday continuing to be mild but breezy.

An initial forecast for early next week has predicted the return of the wind and rain, but time will tell if we're to see a return of the "proper" cold.