SURFERS are taking advantage of the high winds sweeping across the region – but forecasters have warned of colder weather to come.

Plucky members of the Scarborough Surf School were not deterred by the chill in the air as they took to the North Sea to practise their board skills today (Thursday, January 15).

The school normally operates from Cayton Bay, but because of the strong winds and swell, turned to the safer but yet still strong surfing conditions of Scarborough’s South Bay.

However, taking to the sea over the next few days may be inadvisable as the Met Office has issued warnings about a spell of colder weather on the way.

On Thursday, forecasters issued a level three alert for Yorkshire and Humber, the North-East and the North West – meaning the severe weather is now occurring.

A level three is declared when average temperatures have fallen, or are about to fall, to 2C and/or widespread ice and heavy snow is present.

Frank Saunders, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “After less cold conditions overnight Wednesday and for a time on Thursday, increasingly cold air will spread from the northwest across England on Thursday night and during Friday, with showers turning more wintry from the north.

“Average temperatures are expected to continue falling through the weekend, with a northerly airstream likely to be established by Sunday.

“Frost and ice are expected to become increasingly widespread through the period, with some severe overnight frosts likely in the north over any snow cover by Monday.”

Because of the warnings, Public Health England is reminding people to look out for others, to keep warm indoors and to take care when walking on icy or wet surfaces when out and about.