North East weekend weather sees temperatures drop as Met Office gives verdict on more January snow
The North East is forecast to see temperatures drop again this weekend following a milder few days - and there could be more snow on the way before January is over.
The first month off 2025 got off to a freezing start, with multiple Met Office weather warnings issued as many parts of the region were hit by snow and ice. This week finally saw some relief from the harsh winter conditions, with daytime temperatures climbing up to double figures and most areas remaining dry and sunny from mid-week.
While you might not need your umbrella this weekend, you will need to be sure to wrap up warm if you are heading outside. Saturday, January 18 is expected to bring "good spells of sunshine" for much of the North East following a cloudy start with highs of 7°C, but Sunday, January 19 will feel markedly colder as widespread overnight frosts and freezing fog make a reappearance.
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Met Office weather maps show that temperatures are expected to drop as low as -3°C in parts of the region late on Saturday night and early into Sunday morning, with highs reaching just 4°C throughout the day. But chilly winter winds are likely to make it feel a couple of degrees colder than this, making it a day for hats, scarves and gloves if you're planning to brave the cold.
With clear skies forecast all night on Saturday, it's the perfect opportunity to see this month's so-called 'planet parade', with Mars, Venus, Jupiter and even Saturn visible with the naked eye if you know where to look. Read more about the planet parade and how to see it here.
Looking ahead to the start of next week, temperatures are expected to recover by Tuesday after another cold and clear day on Monday followed by more frost and freezing fog. And conditions are forecast to become "much wetter and windier" across the UK later in the week, according to the Met Office's long range forecast.
Towards the end of January, there is a small chance that easterly winds could bring another cold snap with a "risk of snow showers", forecasters said, although it's not yet clear which parts of the UK are most likely to be affected. February is expected to get off to an unsettled start, with the weather looking to be milder and windier than average, although there is still the potential for colder spells bringing further frost, ice and snow.
By Sunday, the sun will rise at 8.17am and set at 4.18pm as the UK gradually moves towards longer days. Here's what the weather forecast looks like hour-by-hour for Newcastle this weekend.
Hour-by-hour forecast for Saturday, January 18 in Newcastle
6am: 3°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
7am: 3°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
8am: 2°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
9am: -2°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
10am: 3°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
11am: 4°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
12pm: 4°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
1pm: 5°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
2pm: 5°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
3pm: 5°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
4pm: 4°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
5pm: 3°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
6pm: 2°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
7pm: 2°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
8pm: 1°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
9pm: 1°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
10pm: 1°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
11pm: 1°C / Clear / <5% chance of precipitation
Hour-by-hour forecast for Sunday, January 19 in Newcastle
6am: -1°C / Partly cloudy / <5% chance of precipitation
9am: -1°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
12pm: 2°C / Sunny / <5% chance of precipitation
3pm: 4°C / Partly cloudy / <5% chance of precipitation
6pm: 2°C / Partly cloudy / <5% chance of precipitation
9pm: 2°C / Partly cloudy / <5% chance of precipitation