Darlington and wider County Durham will see temperatures as low as -5C later this week as the country enters a bitter cold snap.
Parts of England were still subject to ice and snow warnings today (January 8), and the Met Office said further alerts are likely to be issued as the week goes on.
This comes less than a week after the region was hit with thick blankets of snow – that caused road closures, airport delays, and more.
The A66 from Scotch Corner was closed and rural communities in the Durham Dales were snowed in. Hamsterley Forest is still closed as of today.
Here’s the forecast for our region for the rest of the week:
Wednesday
Clear skies seeing temperatures dropping quickly though the evening to give another widespread frost overnight into Thursday. Some patches of mist and fog possible by dawn. Minimum temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
A frosty start again on Thursday with any mist or fog slow to clear. Largely dry but cloudier skies bring the threat of a wintry shower along the northeast coast. Maximum temperature 2 °C.
Friday to Sunday
Staying cold, frosty and probably dry but cloudier for a time on Friday. Increasing amounts of sunshine over the weekend. Risk of freezing fog – slow to clear.
A temperature of minus 14C would equal the lowest seen in this month last year, recorded in Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands on January 17 2024.
But a temperature of minus 16C would be the lowest recorded in January in the UK for 15 years, since minus 22.3C was logged in Altnaharra in the Highlands on January 8 2010, according to Met Office data.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended its cold weather health alert for all of England until Sunday.
Amber alerts issued on Thursday have been extended and will now run until January 12, meaning a rise in deaths is likely, the agency said.
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Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: “We are extending the duration of our Cold-Health Alert, since the Met Office are forecasting that the low temperatures we are seeing will continue further into this week, with snow and icy conditions likely to persist.
“This weather can have a serious impact on the health of some people, including those aged 65 and over and those with pre-existing health conditions, and it is therefore vital that we continue to check in on friends, family and neighbours that are most vulnerable.
“These people could be more at risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest infections as a result of cold temperatures.”