Although it is starting to feel more spring-like, wintry weather is set to return in the coming weeks with snow forecast for the North East.

Weather forecaster, WX Charts, is predicting snowfall in the region as early as February 28, with the heaviest snow at the beginning of March.

It comes after the Met Office warned a major Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW), which brought the Beast from the East to the UK in 2018, is likely to happen in the next couple of weeks.

Read more: Met Office: The likelihood of snow in North East later this month

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.

The Met Office has stressed that the occurrence of an SSW does not always equate to a Beast from the East type scenario.

In 2019, a major SSW did occur but with little impact on the weather. 

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 are 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.