Met Office issues sudden storm warning with damage to buildings, wildfires and power cuts imminent

It's set to be all change in the weather very suddenly as the Met Office issue a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Newcastle.

The sudden warning has come into place with immediate effect, beginning at 4 pm on Tuesday, July 19 and lasting until 8 pm on the same day.

It comes just hours after record-breaking temperatures were recorded on Tyneside with highs of 38 degrees smashing a previous record of 32.5 degrees set in 1990.

At any moment, thunderstorms are now expected to grip the North East with the Met Office warning of the potential for buildings to be damaged.

The weather warning stated: "Thunderstorms could bring disruption this afternoon from lightning strikes and strong, gusty winds.

"Building/structures could be damaged and power supplies may be interrupted by lightning strikes.

"Sudden strong and gusty winds may cause damage to temporary structures with a small chance of flying debris.

"There is a small chance that lightning strikes could trigger wildfires which could cause damage to infrastructure and property."

Winds of up to 60 mph are also possible but the storms are expected to be localised and move away from the UK quickly.

The yellow weather warning for storms does not replace the amber weather warning for heat that is currently in place until the end of Tuesday.

The Met Office issued the amber weather warning over the weekend with heat posing a risk to health and even "danger to life".

Geordies are being asked to behave sensibly in the heat with Fire and Rescue crews issuing a renewed message about water safety following the tragic death of a 13-year-old in the River Tyne on Sunday.