More snow and ice sees schools forced to close

FREEZING conditions are expected to remain for the rest of the week across the North East after fresh falls of snow caused school closures and transport problems yesterday.

- By NICOLE GOODWIN and OWEN YOUNGER

Snowy rooftops, Monkseaton.

There was a further fall of snow on Sunday night following significant falls during Saturday.

Many people who returned to work yesterday after the Christmas break saw their journeys disrupted as snow and ice made roads treacherous.

The Met Office has issued a Yellow warning which will remain in place until 11am today. It covers parts of Northumberland, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Gateshead, County Durham, Sunderland and Tees-side.

The Met Office said: “An ice risk will continue through to Tuesday morning with the warning end time extended. The warning area has also been extended into East Lothian and more of the Scottish Borders.”

It comes after parts of the North East were blanketed in snow amid an Arctic blast of air, which is due to bring subzero temperatures for most of the week.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold health alerts for all regions of England amid the wintry weather, which will remain in place until Friday. Health officials warn that the forecast weather is likely to have “significant impacts” on health and social care services, and could lead to a rise in deaths.