HEAVY snow could blanket the region as soon as tonight, according to the Met Office as the region prepares itself for Storm Eunice.

According to the weather forecaste today is set to bring isolated showers as well as some sunny intervals.

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Although some showers will be wintry over high ground as well as some lower levels, the day will remain largely snow free with a maximum temperature of 7c.

The Northern Echo: The weather in the North East todayThe weather in the North East today

However, moving into tonight, although there will be clear spells to begin with, The Met Office say it will start to become cloudy with rain spreading northeastwards.

The rain will then turn into “heavy” snow and accumulate at lower levels with a minimum temperature of -1c.

Moving into Friday morning, there will be widespread snow at first, which will often be heavy and will accumulate.

The Northern Echo:

The snow reportedly quickly clears, with cloudy and spells of rain, with rain likely to turn to snow once again as strong winds develop.

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A yellow warning for snow has also been issued for the North East, and, although the warning does not cover the whole of the North East, that doesn’t mean we escape the extreme weather.

The Northern Echo: The snow warning from the Met OfficeThe snow warning from the Met Office

A Met Office spokesperson said: “The Met Office National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) warns of the potential impacts caused by severe weather and the likelihood of those impacts occurring.

“This does not mean that areas outside the warning area will not see severe weather, just that the more extreme impacts are expected within the warning zone.”

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Looking ahead to the weekend the outlook reads: “Winds easing Saturday with snow showers at first. Very windy again Sunday with spells of rain. Monday remaining very windy, with perhaps scattered wintry showers.

The news comes after a red warning for wind has been issued for the south west of the UK as Storm Eunice arrives.

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