Milder weather is on its way which will give the North East a break from sub-zero temperatures.
The Met Office says wintry conditions will continue until the weekend when "milder and wetter weather sweeps in to create a temporary reprieve".
A snow and ice weather warning is in place for eastern parts region - including Newcastle, Gateshead Sunderland, and the Northumberland, Tyneside and Durham costs - until midday on Friday. A UK Health Security Agency cold weather warning is in place until the end of Sunday morning too.
Temperatures should warm up over the weekend, rising from lows of -2C on Thursday in Newcastle to minimums of 1C on Friday and Saturday, 4C on Sunday and 6C on Monday.
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Newcastle's maximum temperature is forecast by the Met Office to rise to 3C on Friday, 4C on Saturday and 4C on Sunday, although sleet followed by rain is expected on Sunday morning. The Met Office has issued a snow and ice warning for Sunday morning for the UK on Sunday, although Newcastle's forecast suggests it may avoid the worst of it.
A high of 12C is expected on Monday, when light showers are also expected in the afternoon.
Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: “Over the last week, the UK has been held in a northerly airflow bringing cold, sometimes Arctic air, to the UK. We will still have this northerly influence to our weather patterns until the weekend, but then the cold conditions will lose exclusive dominance over the UK’s weather patterns and we will move into a regime where relatively mild and relatively cold conditions will vie for supremacy.
“We can expect changeable conditions with colder and milder air not too far away from our shores, but it does seem that the Atlantic ‘has woken up’ compared with recent days and will be a stronger influence, countering any further bouts of extreme cold conditions, although spells of further wintry weather remain possible through the rest of December.”
The UK Health Security Agency's Cold Weather Alert is due to end at midday on Sunday December 18.
The Met Office's outlook forecast for the North East of England for Saturday to Monday states: "Cloudy Saturday with outbreaks of rain, sleet and hill snow. Windy and becoming milder Sunday, with a period of snow turning to rain. Remaining windy Monday with showers of rain."
Its UK long-range weather forecast for Monday December 19 to Wednesday December 28 states: "Monday is likely to be wet to start for many, with outbreaks of rain, heavy in places, and perhaps still some snow over northern Scottish mountains.
"Brighter weather is expected to follow, although with showers, wintry at times, spreading from the northwest in the afternoon. Showers or longer spells of wet weather are expected to continue in the following days, perhaps with some snow at times, mainly to higher ground.
"For the rest of the period, confidence is low, however conditions may continue to be changeable, with the occasional wetter periods bringing rain or showers. Northern parts are likely to be most unsettled, where a risk of snow persists. Generally rather windy, although some lighter winds possible. Temperatures close to normal in the south, and rather cold in the north."
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