THE region breathed a sign of relief yesterday as the worst of the wintry weather blew away, roads cleared and schools re-opened.

However, as snow melted, the Environment Agency issued four flood watch notices across the area.

Only four schools in the North-East and North Yorkshire remained closed and the A66 trans-Pennine route from Bowes, in County Durham, to Brough, in Cumbria, re-opened at lunchtime, following an operation to clear the snow.

Eighteen snow ploughs and gritters, four snow blowers and a digger cleared the road, which was closed on Thursday after a lorry jack-knifed and snow built up.

The Environment Agency published flood watch notices as river levels rose across Cleveland and Darlington, the North York Moors, and Nidderdale, Wensleydale and Swaledale, in North Yorkshire.

Local snow melt also caused the river to rise as Lustrum Beck, in Stockton.

A spokesman for the agency, Spencer Vignes, said major flooding problems were not expected.

"The main problems come when there is a sudden thaw and everything melts at the same time. At the moment there is a trickle-down effect, rather than a sudden thaw."

Chris Kilsby, of Newcastle University's hydrology department, said: "The classic situation for the Tyne and Tees is when there is a number of days of snow accumulation over the Pennines. Then the wind switches round to a westerly air flow and there is a rapid thaw accompanied by heavy rain.

"The last time we had problems like that was in 1995. This is a reminder that even though global warming is a reality, it doesn't mean we won't get cold snaps."

Met Office forecaster Ken Scott said: "It is going to stay cold over the weekend, with a few centimetres of snow on higher ground and a little rain and sleet lower down."

A second lot of snowy weather may be on its way next week, affecting coastal areas.

Yesterday, all County Durham schools were open for the first time in five days.

The county council's director of education, Keith Mitchell, said : "It has been a difficult week for the education authority and its schools, but I would like to place on record my thanks to all of the staff in schools who have tried to maintain normal services for our pupils and students.

"Caretakers and other maintenance staff in particular have done a terrific job in trying to keep paths and roadways clear of snow."