A yellow weather warning for ice and snow was issued for the North East as the mercury dropped below zero on Saturday
Snow in Whitley Bay(Image: ChronicleLive)
The North East was hit by snow showers on Saturday as the region saw a drop in temperatures. The Met Office issued a yellow warning for snow and ice, with people urged to take care on the roads.
The alert, in place until midnight on Saturday, warns of “frequent heavy snow showers moving in from the coast” that may bring disruption to travel. It covers County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.
The Met Office said: “Snowy, wintry weather can cause delays and make driving conditions dangerous. Keep yourself and others safe by planning your route, giving yourself extra time for your journey. Check for road closures or delays to public transport and amend plans if necessary.” ChronicleLive is bringing live weather updates here.
The Met Office said: “Snow showers are expected to spread inland during Friday night and Saturday, becoming frequent and perhaps heavy at times. Around 1-3 cm of snow is likely to accumulate quite widely, with 5-8 cm possible in places, this most likely across the North York Moors.
“The snow showers will gradually become lighter and less frequent during Saturday evening, and move offshore overnight. Icy patches will also form, particularly during Saturday evening where roads have potentially been left wet from partially thawed snow during the daytime.”
Snow at Newcastle Quayside(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
On Saturday morning, snow showers arrived in coastal areas, such as Whitley Bay, before heading towards inland Newcastle. Temperatures plunged below 0C in many parts of the region.
Met Office chief meteorologist Rebekah Hicks said: “Arctic air and brisk northerly winds are gripping the UK as we start the new year. Snow and ice warnings remain in force for many areas, with the risk of heavy snow showers, especially across northern Scotland and over higher ground elsewhere, though many inland areas will stay largely sunny and clear.
“Bitterly cold conditions will persist through the weekend and into next week, with daytime temperatures struggling to rise above freezing for some, and overnight lows dipping to minus double figures in places. We urge people to stay weather aware, keep up to date with the forecasts and plan ahead as icy roads and slippery surfaces are likely.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also issued health warnings across England, which are in place until 10am on January 9. The amber cold health alert means that the weather is expected to have severe impacts across health and social care services.
The alert has been issued for the East Midlands, West Midlands, North East, North West, South East, South West, East of England, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London. Officials expect a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions, with impacts also possible on younger age groups.
Hour-by-hour weather forecast for Saturday, January 3, in Newcastle
- 10am: 0°C / Light snow showers / 60% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 12mph
- 11am: 1°C / Light snow showers / 60% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 12pm: 1°C / Sunny intervals / 50% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 14mph
- 1pm: 2°C / Sunny intervals / 20% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 14mph
- 2pm:2°C / Sunny intervals / 20% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 14mph
- 3pm: 1°C / Sunny intervals / 30% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 14mph
- 4pm: 0°C / Clear / 30% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 5pm: 0°C / Clear / 20% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 12mph
- 6pm: -1°C / Clear / 20% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 7pm: -1°C / Clear / 10% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 8pm: -1°C / Clear / 10% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 9pm: -1°C / Clear / 10% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 10pm: -1°C / Clear / 10% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 13mph
- 11pm: -2°C / Clear / 10% chance of precipitation / Wind gust 14mph