SNOW AND SLEET BLAST THE NORTH EAST.

BITTER conditions blasted the North East yesterday as snow peppered the region.

In Killhope, County Durham, walkers braved the chill and broke-out the sledges as they took to the slope for fun in the snow.

And other parts of the region were hit with sleet and rain.

Forecasters last night said the North East would endure another day of snow on higher ground today, before it turns to rain tomorrow.

Met Office forecaster Barry Grommet said: "The weather today will be between 4C and 5C but that will rise by a couple of degrees tomorrow.

"That means that the snow, sleet and hail that we have seen over the last few days will turn to rain.

"The snow has not been particularly heavy, but it has affected areas higher up.

"Temperatures were just above freezing on Monday, at which point they reached around 2C."

The north of England and Scotland suffered overnight temperatures as low as - 1C last night.

But as Wednesday progresses forecasters are predicting that the snow will be replaced by a heavy rainfall.

Mr Grommet said: "It will be night time before the rain reaches the North East, possibly the early hours of Wednesday morning.

"It is possible that the snow, sleet and hail will continue, but this will only be on the higher ground."

CAPTION(S):

IT'S SNOWTIME Sledgers and walkers brave the snow at Killhope lead mine in Weardale, County Durham, yesterday.

Article Details

Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:	The Journal (Newcastle, England)
Date:	Jan 20, 2009
Words:	237
Previous Article:	Life: YOUR SPACE; Fashion.
Next Article:	WIN A KITCHEN WORTH UP TO pounds 15,000; The Journal: Competition.
Topics:	Sleet