North East weather: Snow hits region as Met Office predicts cold temps

Despite milder temperatures becoming a feature of the last few weeks, a return to colder weather will be seen across the region, according to weather predictions for the next few weeks.

However, on the Cumbria/County Durham border on the A66, near Bowes, on Saturday, snow could be seen falling as drivers battled poorer visibility. 

Read more: North East weather: Met Office map reveals return of widespread snow

This snowfall is consistent with the latest weather graphics published by WX Charts, which provides international weather data, which reveals widespread snow could strike the North East across the next few weeks.

As it stands, the Met Office say snow is more likely from March 9 onwards than earlier on in the month and that any impacts from the recent sudden stratospheric warming are not expected until the first week of March.

Here is some footage of the snowfall in the North East today:

A Met Office spokesman said: “Predicting the weather on a specific day two weeks away for a specific region isn’t really possible with any good degree of certainty. Presenting a one-off weather chart from a single model run wouldn’t be a great way of presenting a fully-formed forecast.

“In early March, there are signals for temperatures to likely be below average in the first half of the month. High pressure is likely to be migrating towards Greenland, which increases the chance of cooler weather and a dominant northerly or northeasterly wind. Conditions in the first two weeks of March generally could be more unsettled generally, though it’s not possible to determine precise details at this range.”

Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern added: “We’re not expecting any impacts from the sudden stratospheric warming to take place for the UK until around the first week of March. Also, there’s another thing happening on the other side of the world , an uptick in thundery activity over the Pacific that can lead to perturbations in the jet stream and that can lead to a reinforcement of large areas of high pressure.

"And so the impact of those two outside factors is looking increasingly likely to affect our weather from next weekend, from the fourth, fifth of March onwards.”

Here is a look forward to the North East's weather: 

Today:

Largely cloudy with scattered showers and limited sunshine, with the showers possibly wintry over high ground. It will feel cold with the breezy conditions, especially along the coast. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Tonight:

Varying, often large amounts of cloud will persist along with scattered showers, these most likely across eastern areas. Where long cloud breaks occur localised rural frosts may develop. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Sunday:

Generally cloudy with scattered, mostly light, showers. Only limited sunny intervals. Feeling cold, despite slightly lighter winds compared to today. Maximum temperature 8 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Generally cloudy, with scattered mostly light showers. Often breezy, especially along the coast, and feeling rather cold, Chance of slight overnight frosts where any clearer spells occur.

Weather until 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.