The North East is bracing for a wintry blast as the Met Office issues a yellow weather warning for snow and ice across the region later this week.
When will snow hit the North East?
According to the Met Office, the warning is in effect for Wednesday and Thursday (November 19–20), with snow expected to fall across County Durham, Teesside, and Northumberland.
Forecasters say up to 20cm of snow could fall on higher ground, while lower levels may still see several centimetres of accumulation, leading to travel disruption and icy conditions.
Areas affected include:
- Darlington
- Durham
- Gateshead
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- North Tyneside
- Northumberland
- Redcar and Cleveland
- South Tyneside
- Stockton-on-Tees
- Sunderland
What has the Met Office said?
A Met Office spokesperson warned that snow showers will move inland from the North Sea through midweek, bringing the risk of ice, power cuts, and travel delays.
“Some fairly strong gusts could be associated with the showers, and some isolated lightning strikes are possible at times. Where showers persist and/or snow partially thaws and then refreezes overnight, this will bring a risk of ice,” the spokesperson said.
Bus and train services may be affected, with road closures and longer journey times expected.
How cold will it get?
Temperatures are set to plunge across the region, with feels-like values as low as -2°C early in the week.
The cold snap follows a weekend that saw the UK’s coldest night since March, when temperatures dipped to -7°C in the Scottish Highlands.
Monday and Tuesday will bring bright but cold conditions, before wintry showers arrive on Wednesday, continuing into Thursday and Friday.
Will it snow in my area?
While most of the snow is likely to fall on higher ground, lower areas such as Durham, Darlington, and Teesside could still see light snowfall and icy patches, particularly overnight.
Forecast maps from WX Charts show snow pushing south from the Arctic through midweek, with more wintry showers possible into the weekend.
What should residents expect?
The Met Office has urged residents to plan ahead and take extra care on roads and pavements.
Potential impacts include:
- Travel delays and hazardous driving conditions
- Risk of slips and falls on untreated surfaces
- Power cuts and poor mobile coverage
- Some rural communities are becoming isolated
- Safety advice during snow and ice
Officials recommend:
- Checking travel routes and weather updates before leaving home
- Packing a winter car kit (warm clothing, torch, food, water, phone charger)
- Leaving extra time for journeys
- Walking or cycling on main routes more likely to be gritted
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What’s next for the North East weather?
Looking ahead, the Met Office says the cold spell may ease slightly by the end of the week as Atlantic weather fronts bring milder but wetter conditions.
However, frosts and upland snow are still possible into late November.
“A widespread and in places sharp frost to begin Friday,” the forecast adds. “Then a transition to less cold and more unsettled conditions as Atlantic weather fronts make inroads into the UK.”
