Forget April showers - brace yourself for sleet and snow

Strengthening winds, sleet and even snow could hit parts of the North East today.

After a wet week, forecasters say the weather is going to get worse today, continuing into tomorrow.

The Met Office says that after a mostly bright and dry start today, cloud will increase and thicken, with rain moving across the area by the afternoon.

It will become colder, with snow falling across hills, and perhaps even on lower ground, during the evening.

It will stop around midnight, with clear spells developing to allow a frost in many areas, giving a risk of ice in the morning.

Tomorrow, brisk winds will make it feel colder than the maximum temperature of 8C, and the day will be a mix of bright spells and showers, which will be wintry at most levels.

Showers becoming confined to coasts later, as winds ease for most parts.

Sunday should be dry and bright, then clouding over with winds easing. It will be less cold on Monday, with showery rain possible , then mainly dry and bright on Tuesday after a cool start.