Pictures as Weardale wakes to snow amid Arctic blast

Snow and sleet has fallen across the region over the last couple of days after an Arctic Maritime air mass brought colder conditions.

Areas including Consett and Barnard Castle woke to snow on Friday, while the A66 was shut for several hours between Bowes and Brough sparking lengthy traffic delays. It has since reopened.

Today (Saturday, February 14), areas of Weardale have woken to snow-covered moors and crisp conditions. 

While there is not currently a weather warning in place, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for snow and ice from 9pm this evening (February 14).

Vehicles travel along clear roads surrounded by snow covered moors and blue skies in Weardale, County Durham (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

Outbreaks of rain heading east are expected to fall as snow initially, with 3cm to 7cm possible above 150m and 1cm to 3cm of snow possible at lower levels. 

It is expected that the snow, which could be heavy at times, may cause some disruption to travel especially over high ground this evening and into the morning. 

Vehicles travel along clear roads surrounded by snow covered moors and blue skies in Weardale, County Durham (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

The warning remains in place until 10am on Sunday. 

The forecaster said: “Outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards on Saturday night will fall as snow initially, even to low levels for a time, before becoming confined to higher ground as milder air arrives from the west. 

Vehicles travel along clear roads surrounded by snow covered moors and blue skies in Weardale, County Durham (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

“Temporary snow accumulations of 1cm to 3 cm will be possible at low levels, with 3cm to 7 cm possible above about 150m elevation, and perhaps 10cm to 15cm above 400m. 

“Areas sheltered to the north of high ground may see very little snow. Ice will be an additional hazard, particularly across the North East and parts of Scotland where precipitation has the potential to fall on frozen ground leading to very slippery conditions.

“Snow will turn increasingly to rain into Sunday morning, perhaps as a short spell of freezing rain in places, before eventually clearing to the east with a steady thaw of lying snow then setting in.”