A bout of heavy snow could fall on the North East this week, causing significant travel disruption.
A weather warning for snow has now been issued by the Met Office, covering the majority of our region.
The alert begins at 5am on Wednesday and lasts the whole day, as well as most of the next day, ending at 9pm on Thursday.
An area of rain pushing north-eastwards is expected to increasingly fall as snow, at least for a time, as it encounters colder air across Scotland and parts of northern England.
Heavier snowfall is more likely on higher ground above 150m, where 5-15cm of snow may accumulate, and possibly as much as 30cm of snow in a few locations.
The snow may be restricted to the higher levels but even at lower levels 2-5cm could accumulate.
Travel delays on roads are possible and public transport journeys could be delayed or cancelled.
An ice weather warning is also in place between 3pm on Monday and 11am on Tuesday.
The weather is expected to turn drier and brighter on Friday although it will stay cold.
