Although winter is nearly over and spring is in reach, there is still potential for cold temperatures and conditions, according to the Met Office.

Some areas might be starting to warm up slightly and milder weather can be found,  but forecasters now suggest that patches of snow could hit over the next few weeks. 

Weather forecaster, WX Charts shows low levels of snow falling across the North East.

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WX Charts suggests that snow could hit between Monday, March 6 and Monday, March 20 - but has warned that it might just be on the hills.

In other parts of the region, a milder start to March might appear - with temperatures averaging around eight degrees. 

Although WX has predicted snow long term, the Met Office is currently not predicting any chances of snow for the new week. 

As the Met Office predicts that the weather will be dry with warmer weather and brighter spells coming throughout the next week.

Here is the forecast, both for this week and a longer-term forecast:

Today:

Mostly cloudy with drizzly outbreaks and fog patches persisting across western hills. Dry elsewhere, with some brighter spells, especially towards eastern coasts. Strong winds slowly easing throughout the day and remaining mild. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Tonight:

Cloudy with further light rain and fog patches over western hills. Mostly dry further east with some clear spells developing here after midnight. Turning misty where clear spells do occur. Minimum temperature 4 °C.

Tuesday:

Generally cloudy and mostly dry. Some brighter spells are possible further east as well as the odd spot of light rain over the hills. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Showery rain moves eastwards Wednesday, turning wintry over hills. Showers becoming isolated Thursday. A further band of rain, wintry over hills, edging south overnight. Wintry showers on Friday. Frosts overnight.

Friday, February 24 - Sunday, March 5

Friday is likely to be rather settled, with sunny spells to start, followed by cloudy conditions through much of the day, resulting in some light drizzle in places. Sunny spells and showers are possible in the north, where winds are likely to turn stronger through the day. A frosty start is expected, especially across the south and east, but temperatures will generally be around average elsewhere. Through the rest of the period, settled conditions are likely to continue, however some light rain and showers are still possible at times, with nocturnal fog or mist developing in places. Some stronger winds could develop in the east and south, making it feel colder here, though temperatures overall, will be generally near or slightly below average, although locally cold overnight.

Monday, March 6 - Monday, March 20

High pressure is expected to dominate at the start of the period, with any more unsettled weather most likely across the far north and northwest. However, low pressure could develop to the south of the UK by the middle of the month, bringing more widespread changeable conditions. Temperatures expected to be generally around average to begin, with the risk of colder nights throughout the period. There is an increasing chance of some colder than average conditions developing as the month progresses, although confidence remains low.