FORECASTERS have warned that gale force winds and wintry snow showers could hit the region over the next two days.

Snow has already fallen over high ground across North Yorkshire and the North-East today (Tuesday, February 11) and The Met Office has issued a yellow ‘be aware’ warning for snow through to Thursday.

An amber ‘be prepared’ alert has been issued for high winds tomorrow (Wednesday, February 12) and heavy rain is also expected as a deep Atlantic depression moves in from the west.

Gareth Harvey of the Meteogroup forecasters said snowfall is likely to be confined to higher ground where gusts of up to 70mph are predicted.

He said: “The winds are going to be quite a concern throughout tomorrow (Wednesday, February 12).

"Probably the morning will be nothing exceptional but during the second half of the day I think they will pick up quite quickly.

“We are probably going to be seeing gusts of around 60mph, maybe a bit stronger on exposed hills and perhaps even a little bit stronger than that during the early evening time.

“Over the tops of the Pennines the gusts could get up to and over 70mph.”

Scattered blustery showers are expected to continue on Thursday but Friday should see an improvement in the weather, with drier and brighter conditions forecast.