Rain and wind have hit the North East over the last 24 hours, with the Met Office forecasting more unsettled weather, including hail and potential for thunderstorms.

In County Durham, Darlington, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, were all hit with downpours of rain and higher-than-usual levels of wind. 

The pictures of today's weather:

The Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERThe Northern Echo: WEATHERPictures: NORTH NEWS.

Inland, the rain caused isolated blocks of flooding in low-lying places, while, on the coast, higher winds hit dog walkers and those who braved the conditions at the beaches of the region. 

In images taken at Tynemouth and South Shields, taken by North News, people were seen taking their dogs for a walk with their hoods up, while vehicles could be seen struggling with puddles on roads in Tyne and Wear. 

Read more:

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

While the weather has been changeable today (April 3), the weather for later in the week has also been forecast with hail and thunderstorms. 

Here is the forecast for the rest of the week:

This Evening and Tonight: Skies remain overcast through the night with outbreaks of light and patchy rain and drizzle, hill fog lingering until the morning. Light winds and feeling rather cool. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Thursday: Staying cloudy for much of the day, becoming drier through the morning and hill fog lifting. Rain arriving in the evening, becoming heavy at times overnight and turning increasingly breezy. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Breezy on Friday with heavy rain spreading north. Gale force winds and brighter spells on the weekend with blustery showers and a risk of hail and thunder. Temperatures above average.