Freezing temperatures turn North East into winter wonderland as thermometers plunge

The region awoke to frosty scenes and a freezing start to the working week. Thermometers were displaying as low as -7 early this morning in parts of the North East, a chilly start to the term for the thousands of children returning to school after the Christmas holidays.
The rest of the day is forecast to be dry with some long sunny spells for all areas, remaining cold with a freshening easterly wind, which will become increasingly strong in coastal parts.
Some cloud may arrive later in the day and the maximum temperature is predicted to be 5 °C.
Tonight is forecast to turn more cloudy,and... read more