Snow has arrived in parts of the North East on Thursday (December 8) afternoon, with small patches of snow flurries hitting the region. 

There was small dustings of snow and ice in Middlesbrough, Northallerton, and coastal areas across County Durham, Teesside, and Tyne and Wear. 

While it wasn't enough to be considered 'substantial', it shows that the Met Office level 3 cold alert is warranted, along with an ice weather yellow alert that has been put in place throughout today.

The Northern Echo: A small dusting of snow hits the North East. Picture: NORTHERN ECHOA small dusting of snow hits the North East. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Meanwhile, areas of the North East are set to see temperatures as low as -5 this week with many northern areas seeing no higher than 0 degrees through the day.

Just today, the Met Office issued a yellow warning for ice affecting many North East and North Yorkshire coastal areas.

Read more: Met Office: North East hour-by-hour forecast of when snow will hit

Over the next few days, the forecaster has also warned of “wintery showers” along with “widespread frost.”

We’ve pulled together an hour-by-hour forecast for the rest of this week to see when, exactly, snow might fall. 

Check out the hour-by-hour forecast below:

Thursday, December 8

2pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -2c with a 40 per cent chance of rain/snow

3pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -3c with a 60 per cent chance of rain/snow

4pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -3c with a 60 per cent chance of rain

5pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -2c

6pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -2c

7pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -2c with a 50 per cent chance of rain

8pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -2c with a 40 per cent chance of snow

9pm – Temperature of 1c, feels like -3c

10pm – Temperature of 1c, feels like -3c

11pm – Temperature of 0c, feels like -4c

Friday, December 9

3am – Temperature of 0c, feels like -4c

6am – Temperature of -1c, feels like -6c

9am – Temperature of -1c, feels like -5c

12pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -1c

3pm – Temperature 2c, feels like -2c

6pm – Temperature of 0c, feels like -4c

9pm - Temperature of -1c, feels like -5c

Saturday, December 10

 3am – Temperature of -1c, feels like -5c

6am – Temperature of -1c, feels like -4c

9am – Temperature of -1c, feels like -4c

12pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -1c

3pm – Temperature 2c, feels like -1c

6pm – Temperature of 0c, feels like -3c

9pm - Temperature of 0c, feels like -4c

Sunday, December 11

3am – Temperature of -0c, feels like -3c

6am – Temperature of -0c, feels like -4c

9am – Temperature of -0c, feels like -4c

12pm – Temperature of 2c, feels like -1c

3pm – Temperature 2c, feels like -1c

6pm – Temperature of 0c, feels like -3c

9pm - Temperature of -1c, feels like -4c

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a Level 3 cold weather alert covering England from Wednesday evening through to Monday.

The RAC motor services company also urged people to keep blankets in their vehicles in case they break down in icy conditions.

Met Office chief meteorologist Steve Willington said: “As an Arctic maritime airmass settles across the UK, temperatures will fall with widespread overnight frosts, severe in places, and daytime temperatures only a few degrees above freezing.

The Northern Echo: Patches of snow hitting the North East. Picture: NORTHERN ECHOPatches of snow hitting the North East. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

“However, the cold air from the Arctic will also bring brighter conditions, with some dry, sunny spells, particularly away from the coast and where winds are light it could feel pleasant in the sunshine. Some patchy freezing fog is also likely.

“Showers will turn more wintry with an increasing risk of snow as the week progresses, particularly in coastal areas or over higher ground.

“There will be widespread frosts with temperatures falling to as low as minus 10C overnight in isolated spots by the end of the week.”

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: “With temperatures plummeting this week, many drivers might be taken aback by the cold after an exceptionally mild autumn.

“Our advice is to be winter ready – check tyres are properly inflated and with good tread, while topping up oil, coolant and screen wash levels if needed.

“Drivers with older batteries in their cars might also wish to give their vehicle a 20-minute drive before colder conditions arrive to ensure the battery can cope with sub-zero temperatures.

“It’s also worth having a fully charged mobile phone and carrying a blanket in case of a breakdown to keep warm.”

Read next:

Have you tried the new restaurant yet? Why not leave a comment on this story. Go to the top of this story and leave your thoughts.

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here