Washington, Tyne and Wear is preparing for a wet and windy 48 hours as heavy rain and strong gusts are forecast to move through the area. According to the Met Office, there is a 95% chance of heavy rain on Wednesday morning (4 February 2026), followed by gusts up to about 40mph on Thursday (5 February 2026). This weather system is expected to make the morning commute difficult and could cause water levels to rise along the local river.
The predicted rainfall follows a very active start to the year, with recent storms already leaving the ground soaked and unable to absorb much more water. Because of this, officials are keeping a close eye on the River Wear estuary where the water is expected to swell. Residents can check for flooding through the government’s monitoring service, especially those living in lower areas such as Fatfield and parts of Columbia.
The wind is expected to pick up on Thursday, creating potential hazards for drivers on major routes such as the A1 and could affect local bus services. The combination of high tides and heavy rain running off the land could lead to official flood alerts being issued for parts of the town. People are advised to plan for longer travel times and to stay away from river banks while water levels remain high.
