Weather maps have shown that there is potential for snow across the North East later this month, with temperatures expected to fall to below freezing.

Weather mapping service WXCharts has shown that snow is a possibility in the region on November 21 and November 28 - with snow seen across other parts of the UK too.

WXCharts for November 21WXCharts for November 21 (Image: WXCHARTS) Within the maps, WXCharts shows snow over parts of County Durham, North Yorkshire, Teesside, and Northumberland, as well as other locations in England, Scotland, and Wales. 

Despite the weather prediction from WXCharts, the Met Office has put out its own statement regarding the potential for snow in the North East. 

In its weather forecast for the next few weeks, it says that temperatures will drop but doesn't mention snow. 

This week's forecast for the North East:

Today: Largely dry after another chilly start. Any patchy fog should gradually clear during the morning, with variable cloud and sunny spells developing for most. Cloud increasing from the west later, perhaps with some patchy drizzle, especially across the Pennines. Maximum temperature 13 °C.

Tonight: Turning cloudier along coastal districts overnight, although staying largely dry. Low cloud, mist, and hill fog in the west, with some patchy drizzle. Otherwise, dry with some clear spells elsewhere. Minimum temperature 3 °C.

WXCharts for November 28WXCharts for November 28 (Image: WXCHARTS) Thursday: A rather cloudy start to the day, with some low cloud, mist, and hill fog. Otherwise, it is largely dry with some sunny spells developing into the afternoon. Rather mild. Light winds. Maximum temperature 14 °C.

Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Largely dry but often cloudy on Friday, perhaps with some drizzle. Early rain will clear on Saturday, followed by colder and showery conditions, which will persist into Sunday. Breezier for many.

A longer-term look at the weather:

Sunday 17 Nov - Tuesday 26 Nov: Turning more unsettled and significantly colder as we head into the weekend with rain or showers for most regions, The heaviest and most frequent spells of rain are most likely in the north where they are likely to turn wintry, especially to the hills of Scotland, but perhaps also to lower levels in the far north as colder air digs south. The chance of any widespread or disruptive snowfall affecting more populated areas at this stage however remains low. Less certainty for the south but even here there is a chance of some more organised rain, and potentially some hill snow. Often windy, with a chance of gales at times, especially in the north and east. Temperatures falling below average and feeling particularly cold in the strong winds.

What has the Met Office said?

Mark Sidaway is a Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office and looks at medium and extended-range forecasts.

He said: “Despite what some headlines suggest, it’s not possible to accurately pick out an ‘exact date’ for snow to hit the UK weeks in advance, but we do have some long-range outputs that can help us to understand the chances.

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“Different projections of the future are run multiple times through weather forecasting models. Often these will be quite similar at short ranges, but by the time you get weeks ahead, these can have a significant range of possible weather conditions in the future.

“It’s our job as meteorologists to look at all these projections and understand what it’s telling us about the likelihood of conditions.

“Certainty will tend to increase as we get closer to the time, and the best indication of impactful snow in the forecast would be when a Met Office National Severe Weather Warning is issued.”