TEMPERATURES are expected to improve, but the North-East has not seen the last of the wintry weather, forecasters have warned.

Although temperatures are set to hit between 3C (37F) and 4C (39F) today, the region can expect patchy drizzle, sleet or possible snow flurries, and the thermometer is set to plunge to 0C (32F) overnight.

Elsewhere in the country, it will be cloudy, windy and cold, with outbreaks of rain, sleet and heavy snow across South- West England and South Wales. The wind chill is expected to be high.

Tomorrow, the region again faces wintry showers, with temperatures of about 2C (36F), falling to -1C (30) overnight.

Across the UK, it is expected to be less windy, with South West England and South-West Wales experiencing outbreaks of rain and hill snow, which will ease gradually. Elsewhere, it is expected to be largely dry, but cloudy. A few wintry showers are possible in eastern coastal areas.

Thursday will be unsettled in the North-East with rain and sleet for most, reaching temperatures of 3C (37F) during the day and dropping to about -3C (27F) at night. Other areas it looks set to be mostly dry and cold but fairly cloudy.

A spokeswoman for Metogroup said: “Temperatures are improving, but any thaw will be slow. Temperatures are rising during the day, but hitting zero or below at night, so we should expect ice.

“Precipitation will probably turn to snow at times. It will be very, very cold.”

■ The recent bad weather has forced staff at Bishop Auckland College to cancel all evening classes for the rest of the week. Daytime classes are expected to go ahead as normal.