The North East may feel as though it's gone back to winter this week as a cold snap brings wintry showers and widespread frost to the region.
The Met Office has warned of a cold week ahead, caused by a low-pressure system moving eastward away from the UK on Monday to make way for cold Arctic air to spread south from Scotland across the rest of the country by early Tuesday. This will lead to an unsettled final week of April, with the North East set for a mixed bag of sunshine and showers in the coming days.
Temperatures will drop into the minuses overnight and areas of higher ground will particularly feel the chill, according to meteorologists. But luckily things are set to spring back to milder conditions by the weekend, so don't go packing away those t-shirts and shorts just yet.
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Met Office chief meteorologist Jason Kelly said: "This week will see temperatures below average for the time of year for many. Blustery winds will become confined to the far northeast overnight, with winds falling light elsewhere.
"This will allow widespread frost by night, though in sunshine by day, it should feel pleasant enough. Wintry showers will continue across the northeast, becoming confined to Orkney and Shetland by tomorrow afternoon."
According to the latest forecast from the Met Office, the North East will see occasional showers on Monday night and wintry conditions over higher ground, with light winds causing temperatures to fall below average to as low as -1°C with a widespread frost developing in some areas. Tuesday will get off to a bright, cold start, with cloud setting in across the afternoon between sunny spells.
Wednesday is predicted to be cloudier with showers making a comeback, before drier and brighter conditions on Thursday. But it's good news for anyone looking forward to the upcoming bank holiday weekend - temperatures will trend upwards by the end of the week, and are forecast to be a little above average by the time the weekend rolls around.
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