This is when snow will hit the North East as weather warning set for days ahead

The initial yellow alert for snow issued by the Met Office has been extended up until midnight on Wednesday, February 10, covering the entire east of the UK today, Monday, February 8, taking in swathes of the west side of the country.

As a result, the North East has been told to expect the bitter conditions to continue – with snowfall still predicted for the end of the week and up to 15cm expected in some areas.

Across the region, it will struggle to rise above 2C, but with the winds continuing, biting conditions will be felt.

In Northumberland, forecasters expect a mix of heavy and light show showers throughout day, but also say there will be sunshine up until 5pm, when it will become cloudier, with the snow showers to continue through the night.

Moving south to South Tyneside, Sunderland and Hartlepool, there will also be spells of sun, but there will be heavy snow mixed with sleet as the day goes on.

The heaviest fall will be around lunchtime and then mid-afternoon as the conditions become more slushy due to the sleet.

There will be quieter periods with just cloud cover, but as the night draws in, snow is expected to fall again during the night and into the early hours.

The warning says: “Snow showers will feed off the North Sea into many northern and eastern areas of the UK.

“Whilst some areas in the warning area will remain largely dry, some persistent bands of showers are likely to develop in places.

“Daily accumulations of 2cm to 5cm are probable for some, with 10cm to 15cm plausible in areas where showers merge into more organised and prolonged spells of snow.

“Some icy stretches are possible overnight, mainly where melting snow during the afternoon has not a chance to dry out before freezing overnight, although snow is likely to be more prevalent.”

The forecast from Wednesday to Friday suggests we will see wintry showers initially on Wednesday, becoming light then clearing later.

It will be drier and bright on Thursday, with a risk of snow again Friday, with condition bitter with hard frosts and icy stretches.

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