Snow has arrived in County Durham and North Yorkshire, as further minus temperatures are forecast in the two regions, according to the Met Office. 

Despite lower temperatures being seen across the North East and North Yorkshire over the last few days, it hadn't previously been warm enough to snow. 

However, this afternoon (Monday, January 8), snow was spotted in hilly places of County Durham and North Yorkshire - including Stanhope, the Hole of Horcum, Forest in Teesdale, and North Grimston. 

The Northern Echo: Weardale Ski Club Weardale Ski Club (Image: WEARDALE SKI CLUB)

Weardale Ski Club, near Stanhope, also put on its weather cameras that it had snowed on the hills of the ski slopes. 

This snow comes after a yellow cold health alert (CHA) was issued for the UK this week by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office.

The Northern Echo: The Lanehead road in County DurhamThe Lanehead road in County Durham (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

It is in place for the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber, East of England, South East of England and London until noon on Friday (January 12).

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “With the Met Office forecasting drops in temperature across the United Kingdom into next week, it is important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.”

The cold weather can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections and can have serious health impacts for older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.

The Northern Echo: Snow also fell on North YorkshireSnow also fell on North Yorkshire (Image: NYCC)

Elsewhere, snow is expected in Darlington on Wednesday, January 17, according to WXCharts by MetDesk.

On Sunday (January 14), minus temperatures are expected in County Durham.

This Evening and Tonight: Remaining cold and largely dry overnight. Often cloudy, but with some clear spells leading to a widespread frost, especially for inland areas. Breezy on the coast and over higher ground. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

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Tuesday: A frosty start, with the cold conditions continuing. Largely cloudy and dry with some sunny spells. Breezy on coasts and higher ground. Perhaps some coastal showers in the north later. Maximum temperature 4 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday: Mostly cloudy with occasional showers through this period. Breezy along the coast. Temperatures slowly returning to near normal, but with overnight frosts still possible for more rural spots.

Saturday 13 Jan - Monday 22 Jan: Cloudy, with patchy light rain or drizzle for central and southern areas, although many areas staying largely dry. Sunny spells and scattered showers, wintry in places, further north, most frequent along coasts. Winds will be light with temperatures likely to be a little below average. Into the start of the following week, it is likely to turn colder as northerly winds begin to develop across of the UK and bring a risk of snow showers, particularly across the north. Further bands of light rain and drizzle may also sink south at times. There is a very small risk of a period of snow across some southern areas for a time. Confidence is low through the rest of this period, but an increased chance of unsettled conditions returning from the west.