There is a risk of snow showers in some North East areas as well as ice as temperatures fall below freezing
A warning has been issued for snow and ice(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
The Met Office has updated its latest snow and ice warning for the North East, which now runs over 35 hours. The alert initially went from midnight on Sunday to midnight on Monday, January 5.
It has now been extended to 11am on Tuesday, January 6. The Met Office says that, during that 35-hour period, “scattered snow showers and icy patches have the potential to cause disruption to travel in places on Monday into Tuesday morning.”
The yellow warning covers Darlington, County Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland. People are therefore being urged to take care when out and about. ChronicleLive is bringing all the latest weather updates here.
The latest warning follows heavy snowfall in parts of the North East on Saturday. Coastal stretches, including Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, as well as inland areas like Newcastle, had snow.
Weather maps from wxcharts.com show more of the white stuff heading towards the North East on the night of Wednesday, January 7. There are a few days of respite before a band of snow is set to arrive on January 14 and 15.
Weather experts warn of more wintry showers as well as a risk of ice following the snow. They say some roads and railways are likely to be affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services.
A Met Office map showing a yellow warning for snow and ice in the North East(Image: Met Office)
There could be icy patches on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths. And there is a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
The Met Office said: “Whilst not all areas will be affected, scattered snow showers will move inland from the North Sea during Monday, giving some small accumulations in places. Where snow showers are most frequent, this most likely across southeast Scotland, parts of North and East Yorkshire and Redcar and Cleveland, fresh accumulations of 5-8 cm will be possible in a few places.
“Lightning and gusty winds may be additional hazards, especially near windward coasts. Snow showers should become more isolated through Monday evening, but a risk of ice will persist through Monday night into Tuesday morning as temperatures fall below freezing.”
The weather specialists have issued vital advice for drivers and anyone planning to travel. It 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.
“Keep yourself and your family safe when it is icy. Plan to leave the house at least five minutes earlier than normal. Not needing to rush, reduces your risk of accidents, slips, and falls.
“If you need to make a journey on foot, try to use pavements along main roads which are likely to be less slippery. Similarly, if cycling, try and stick to main roads which are more likely to have been treated.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. If driving, make sure you have some essentials in your car in the event of any delays (e.g., warm clothing, food, water, a blanket, a torch, ice scraper/de icer, a warning triangle, high visibility vest and an in-car phone charger).”