24-hour snow and ice warning issued for the North East as winter blast sweeps UK

A weather warning for snow and ice has been issued for the North East next week, with forecasters cautioning that the wintry weather could lead to some disruption.

The Met Office has issued a 24-hour yellow warning from 10am on Monday, November 18 until 10am on Tuesday, November 19. This encompasses the whole region including Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland and County Durham, as well as stretching as far north as Glasgow and down to Leeds.

While the extent of the snowfall remains uncertain, forecasters have advised that there is currently a "small chance" that bus, train and air services may be delayed or cancelled, with some road closures and longer journey times possible. There is also a risk of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces, and that untreated pavements and cycle paths could become "impassable".

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In addition, there is a "slight chance" of power cuts and a risk of rural communities being cut off by the wintry weather. It comes after forecasters warned of a "major change" ahead for much of the UK as cold Arctic air moves in over the weekend, bringing the potential for snow across many parts of the country.

Explaining the reasoning behind the weather warning, the Met Office said: "Spells of rain, sleet and snow are likely during Monday and overnight into Tuesday morning. The most likely scenario is for most of the snow to fall on high ground, with 5 to 10cm possible above 300 metres and perhaps as much as 15 to 20cm above 400 metres.

"There is a small chance of snow settling at lower levels, where 5 to 10cm would prove much more disruptive, but this is very uncertain. As rain, sleet and snow clear on Tuesday morning, ice may form on untreated surfaces."

Anyone planning to travel while the warning is in force is advised to check for delays and amend travel plans if necessary, leaving more time for journeys. As widespread snow is often difficult for UK forecasters to predict in advance, it's also vital to stay up to date with the latest weather forecast in your area and be prepared for any warnings to change quickly.

The weekend forecast for the North East predicts that Saturday will remain mostly dry with sunny spells and the isolated shower, which could turn wintry over the Pennines as the colder weather creeps in. However, from Sunday the region is set to become "markedly colder", the Met Office said, with widespread frosts and an increasing risk of "wintry hazards" from Monday.