A YELLOW weather warning is in place for the region as high winds and blizzard conditions hit the UK.
Residents in the North East can expect wind gusts between 60-70mph with chances of heavy snow on higher ground.
The weather warning for the region is in place until around 6pm.
There remains a risk of some snow to lower ground, although with less significant accumulations.
Read more: Storm Eunice LIVE - Updates from North East and Yorkshire during severe weather
What to expect:
- There is a chance of some damage to trees and also perhaps to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
- There is a chance of longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected There is a chance that some roads and bridges could close
- There is a small chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- There is a small chance that injuries could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties
Elsewhere in the UK, a Red Weather Warning for wind covers some coastal areas towards the southwest, including south Wales, from early on Friday morning, before a separate Red Warning comes into force for much of the south and southeast with similar damaging gusts and disruption expected.
Wind gusts in the most exposed coastal areas could be in excess of 90mph, which would bring significant impacts for many and represent a danger to life.
Further inland and within the wider Amber Warning area, gusts will still be impactful and damaging for many, with 60-70mph gusts likely for many, and 80mph in a few places.
Read more: County Durham schools closed due to Storm Eunice
⚠ #StormEunice is going to bring damaging and disruptive winds for most of the UK today.
— Met Office (@metoffice) February 18, 2022
🔴 See the latest Red Warnings for wind below and be aware of the wider Amber Warning area.
Exposed coastal areas could get gusts in excess of 90mph
Latest 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/uQAeGfB3RK
The warnings reflect the expected track of Storm Eunice eastwards across the central portion of the UK, with the strongest winds expected to the south of Eunice.
People are being urged to postpone travel plans as Storm Eunice wreaks havoc with transport networks.
Train operators across Britain urged passengers to avoid travelling on Friday as emergency 50mph speed limits are in place in many areas.
This is to make it easier for train drivers to brake if they spot objects on the track or damage to overhead wires caused by strong winds.
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