Ice warning for North East motorists with temperatures expected to drop below freezing

Fog patches are also expected in the North East with the weather warning continuing throughout Thursday.

While coastal areas escaped snowfall, higher areas of the North East inland received up to two inches on Wednesday morning.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Under clear skies and light winds, temperatures are expected to fall below freezing this evening and overnight.

“Given that roads are likely to be still damp from earlier rain and snow, icy patches are expected to form on untreated surfaces.

“Please be aware that some localised disruption to travel is likely.”

Temperatures are expected to rise to 7 degrees celsius on Thursday morning before increasing slightly to 9 degrees celsius on Friday and over the weekend with the rain disappearing.

Better weather is typically expected to arrive on Monday with temperatures reaching as high as 12 degrees celsius.