LIVE BLOG: Snow alerts for Northumberland and the North East

As the North East is in the grip of the Beast from the East, with blizzards and bitterly-cold weather, keep up-to-date with the latest weather alerts and news.
Snow is forecast for the North East. Picture by Alice Tetley-Paul.Snow is forecast for the North East. Picture by Alice Tetley-Paul.
Snow is forecast for the North East. Picture by Alice Tetley-Paul.

LIVE NORTHUMBERLAND SNOW ALERTS FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 2 – CLICK HERE

Thursday, March 1 (10.55pm): Northumberland Alert has just tweeted: ‘Please note in relation to our earlier message re Willowburn Sports Centre in Alnwick, it WILL now remain OPEN throughout the night as a rest centre if needed.’

Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.
Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.
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Thursday, March 1 (10.20pm): The A69 west of Haltwhistle is closed due to drifting snow. Drivers are advised not to travel west on the A69.

Thursday, March 1 (10pm): Tweet from David Park - ‘As of 21.30, Thursday, A1068 is single lane just north of Warkworth and could do with a shovel, currently passable. The road between Warkworth station and A1068 is effectively blocked and could do with a shovel too. #Drifting’

Thursday, March 1 (9.50pm): Willowburn Sports Centre in Alnwick won’t be available as a rest centre from 10pm. Those already there are being looked after. Emergency services will direct to other locations if necessary.

Thursday, March 1 (9.45pm): Road closure update – A1 northbound is now reopened at St Leonard’s Junction, Morpeth. But the A1 remains closed north of Alnwick.

Some interesting facts abourt snow.Some interesting facts abourt snow.
Some interesting facts abourt snow.
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Thursday, March 1 (9.30pm): The Swan Centre at Northumberland Road, Berwick (TD15 2AS), has opened to provide respite for stranded motorists.

Thursday, March 1 (9.20pm): A number of stranded motorists have been rescued from a section of the A1 near Alnwick. They are following a gritter out of the area. The A1 in the north of the county remains impassable.

Thursday, March 1 (9.15pm): Virgin Trains East Coast services tomorrow - South from Edinburgh to Kings Cross will run one train an hour leaving at xx30 - first 10.30am. North to Edinburgh from Kings Cross will run one train an hour leaving at xx00 - first 7am.

Thursday, March 1 (9.10pm): Northumbria Police have been informed of a National Holidays coach with elderly passengers on board that has been stuck for eight hours. They are working with partners to get to the coach and take the passengers to a reception centre for hot food and drinks.

Traffic at a standstill on the A1 between Warenford and Ellingham in Northumberland. Picture by Hazel Bettison.Traffic at a standstill on the A1 between Warenford and Ellingham in Northumberland. Picture by Hazel Bettison.
Traffic at a standstill on the A1 between Warenford and Ellingham in Northumberland. Picture by Hazel Bettison.
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Thursday, March 1 (9.05pm): @Highways England tweet: ‘A1 Northumberland remains closed both ways between A197 Morpeth and the @trafficscotland border following heavy snow throughout the day. Expected to remain closed overnight due to the severity of the snow in the area, if considering travel tonight pls see @metoffice warnings.’

Thursday, March 1 (9pm): Northumbria Police tweet: ‘B6525 from Wooler to Berwick was and probably still is impassable.’

Thursday, March 1 (8.50pm): Updated tweet from Virgin Trains East Coast: ‘Our first train south will be the 10:30 from Edinburgh to Kings Cross. The first north bound service to Edinburgh will be the 07:10 from Leeds, this service will be terminated at Edinburgh and will not continue to Aberdeen.’

Thursday, March 1 (8.45pm): Tweet from Virgin Trains East Coast: ‘After working closely with @NetworkRailSCOT we have been able to arrange a reduced timetable to and from Edinburgh from tomorrow morning (2 March). We are currently updating this on our website. Please bear with us and we will advise of this ASAP!’

Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.
Snow alerts for Tuesday, February 27.
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Thursday, March 1 (8.25pm): A flood alert has been issued for tomorrow as a tidal surge is predicted on the Northumberland coast. For full story, click here.

Thursday, March 1 (8.05pm): Northumbria Police has released a roads update for Northumberland, including the A1 and A697. For full story, click here.

Thursday, March 1 (8pm): Virgin Trains East Coast tweet: ‘As has been the case throughout the day, we are still advising passengers not to travel today or tomorrow (1st & 2nd March), this is throughout our network!’

Thursday, March 1 (7.50pm): Highways England tweet: ‘The A68 is expected to remain closed overnight in both directions between the A69 Corbridge and A6088 following heavy snowfall throughout the day.’

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Thursday, March 1 (7.45pm): Tweet from Northumbria Police: ‘Please DO NOT travel south on the A1 from Berwick. The road is impassable. #staysafe’

Thursday, March 1 (7.30pm): A number of flights departing tomorrow from Newcastle International Airport have been cancelled. These are: Amsterdam (6am); Geneva (6.55am); Alicante (7am); Belfast International (9.35am); Bristol (12.15pm); London Heathrow (2.30pm); Dublin (3.45pm); London Heathrow (7.45pm).

Some interesting facts abourt snow.Some interesting facts abourt snow.
Some interesting facts abourt snow.

Thursday, March 1 (6.55pm): To add to the woes of communities battered by the blizzards of the Beast from the East, strong easterly winds combined with high spring tides bring the potential for flooding along the Northumberland coastline. The Environment Agency issue a flooding alert. Full story hereThursday, March 1 (6.35pm): The A1 is still closed between Alnwick and the Scottish border. A tweet from police says: ‘Please avoid this area if possible. Conditions are atrocious and we’d encourage people in Northumberland to only drive if necessary. If you are stuck on the A1, please keep your car doors closed and stay warm, police and partners are on their way to help’.

Thursday, March 1 (6.30pm): Alnwick’s Bailiffgate Museum will be closed tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions. The museum hopes to be open on Saturday. Bamburgh Castle and Cragside have also announced they will be closed tomorrow.

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Thursday, March 1 (6.20pm): Northumberland County Council has published an updated list of the schools which are closed tomorrow. Read full story here.

Thursday, March 1 (6.10pm:) Tweet from @NELiveTraffic: ‘The A19 southbound between Moor Farm & the A1056 Killingworth Way has been reopened by Highways England.’

Thursday, March 1 (4.45pm): More flights have been cancelled from Newcastle International Airport. These are the 5.25pm to Cardiff; 6pm to Aberdeen; 8.05pm to Exeter; and 8.30pm to Southampton. Flights which were already cancelled were the 5.10pm to London Heathrow; 7.10pm to Bristol; 7.25pm to London Heathrow; 8.50pm to Cork; and 10.30pm to Dublin.

Thursday, March 1 (4.10pm): Highways England tweet: ‘#A19 southbound is CLOSED between #A189 #MoorFarmRbt and the #A1056 due to a 14-vehicle collision. @northumbriapol are on scene with recovery of the vehicles now underway, traffic diverted via A189 S/B and #A1056 E/B. Pls plan ahead.’

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Thursday, March 1 (4.05pm): Northumbria Police tweet: ‘The A1 remains closed between Alnwick & Berwick. Diversions in place and HGVs are being cleared. Officers, gritters & ploughs working hard to get people moving. A69 remains open at this time as does the A697, however this may change so please avoid travel altogether if possible.’

Thursday, March 1 (4pm): Road closure in the Ashington area. The A1068 is closed southbound from Front Street to Mile Road. Please use another route.

Thursday, March 1 (3.55pm): The B6341 has been closed between A697 New Moor Crossroads and Rothbury due to drifting snow. Please use the B6344 for entry into Rothbury.

Thursday, March 1 (3.50pm): The Met Office has upgraded its snow warning for the North East, including Northumberland, adding that some rural communities ‘might be cut off for several days’. Read full story here.

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Thursday, March 1 (3.50pm): Arriva North East has said that the following services will begin to be withdrawn this evening between 7pm and 8pm. Services affected are X14, X15, X18, X20, X21, X22, 35, 57, 57A.

Thursday, March 1 (3.20pm): Here’s an update on the multi-vehicle crash on the A19 southbound between Moor Farm roundabout and the A1056 Killingworth Way junction at the Annitsford Road overpass. Police have said that this involves 12 vehicles and luckily there have been no injuries. Police are on the scene and are awaiting recovery of all the vehicles involved.

Thursday, March 1 (3.10pm): Northumberland County Council’s list of school closures for tomorrow - Atkinson House School, Amble First School, Barndale House School, Beaconhill Primary School, Belford First School, Bellingham First School, Bellingham Middle School, Berwick Academy, Berwick Middle School, Blyth Horton Grange Primary School, Blyth Malvin’s Close Primary Academy, Blyth Morpeth Road Primary Academy, Blyth Newsham Primary School, Branton Primary School, Broomhill First School, Burnside Primary School, Cambo First School, Cleaswell Hill School, Corbridge C of E Vol Aided First School, Corbridge Middle School, Cramlington Eastlea Primary School, Cramlington Hillcrest School, Croftway Primary Academy, Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School, Embleton Vincent St Edwards C of E Primary School, Felton C of E Primary School, Glendale Middle School, Grange View C of E Vol Controlled First School, Greenhead C of E Primary School, Grove Special School, Guide Post Ringway Primary School, Harbottle C of E Voluntary Aided First School, Hareside Primary School, Henshaw C of E Primary School, Hexham Priory School, Hipsburn Primary School, Holy Trinity C of E First School, Hugh Joicey C of E First School, James Calvert Spence College, Acklington Road, Longhorsley St Helen’s C of E First School, Longhoughton C of E Primary School, Lowick C of E Vol Controlled First School, Morpeth All Saints C of E First School, Morpeth Collingwood School, Netherton Northside First School,New Hartley First School, Norham St Ceolwulfs C of E V.C First School, Northburn Primary School, Pegswood Primary School, Pupil Referral Unit Hepscott Park, Rothbury First School, Scremerston First School, Seahouses Primary School, Seaton Delaval First School, Seaton Sluice First School, Shilbottle Primary School, Spittal First School, St Aidan’s RC Voluntary Aided Primary School, St Cuthbert’s RC Vol Aided First School, Berwick, St Mary’s C of E Middle School, Belford, St Mary’s C of E V.C First School, Berwick, St Michael’s C of E Primary School, St Paul’s RC Voluntary Aided Primary School, Alnwick, St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School, Stakeford Primary School, Swansfield Park Primary, Swarland Primary School, The Dales School, Thropton Village First School, Tweedmouth Middle School, Tweedmouth Prior Park First School, Wark C of E First School, Warkworth C of E First School, West Woodburn First School, Whalton C of E Vol Aided Primary School, Wooler First School.

Thursday, March 1 (3.05pm): There are reports of a multi-vehicle crash on the A19 southbound between Moor Farm roundabout and the A1056 Killingworth Way junction at the Annitsford Road overpass. It is believed 20 vehicles are involved. Check back for updates.

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Thursday, March 1 (2.45pm): School closures for Friday continue to come in. Felton Primary, St Cuthbert’s RC First in Berwick, Prior Park First, Bothal First, Central Primary, Cramlington Shanklea Primary, St Benet Biscop Academy, Morpeth Collingwood, Ellingham Primary and St Peter & Paul’s Academy are all off.

Thursday, March 1 (2.25pm): More school closure on Friday. The latest are Croftway Primary, Dr Thomlinson Middle, Blyth Morpeth Road Primary, Thropton First, Netherton Northside First, Blyth Malvin’s Close Primary, Embleton Primary, Wark First, Longhorsley First, Whalton Primary, Scremerston First, Northburn Primary, Hareside Primary, St Aidan’s RC Primary, Longhoughton Primary, Burnside Primary, Wooler First, Spittal First.

Thursday, March 1 (2.10pm): Northumbria Police tweet: ‘A1 UPDATE: The A1 from Alnwick to Berwick remains closed at this time. We had hoped to have it clear by now but the elements are against us. Emergency services have been able to clear all cars & are currently clearing all HGVs. Avoid the area as you will be diverted by officers!’

Thursday, March 1 (2.10pm): Lots of school closures for Friday coming in. The latest are Berwick Middle, Tweedmouth Middle, St Mary’s First in Berwick, New Hartley First, Rothbury First, Cramlington Eastlea Primary, Swansfield Park Primary, Berwick Academy, Beaconhill Primary, Hugh Joicey First in Ford, Scremerston First, St Michael’s C of E Primary, Grove Special School and Seahouses Primary.

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Thursday, March 1 (2.05pm): A1 southbound, traffic at a standstill at Haggerston.

Thursday, March 1 (2.05pm): Road closure - The A696 from Ponteland to the A68 is closed due to the amount of snow. Locally-travelling vehicles will be allowed access but motorists are urged to use another route or return to somewhere safe.

Thursday, March 1 (2pm): Road closure – The A68 from Corbridge up to the Scottish border is closed due to vehicles stuck on the roads. Emergency services are attending to help and motorists are being diverted to alternative routes.

Thursday, March 1 (1.50pm): Northumbria NHS has tweeted: ‘A massive thank you to all of our staff who’ve gone the extra mile during the horrible weather to keep patients safe. Also a huge thank you to everyone volunteering to provide the 4x4 transport for our staff members, it is greatly appreciated.’

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Thursday, March 1 (1.40pm): A696 between Otterburn and Ponteland is currently impassable, according to police.

Thursday, March 1 (1.25pm): Northumberland County Council has cancelled all bin collections across Northumberland today and are not going to be able to collect any bins this week now. If your bin was missed yesterday (Wednesday) or today, the county council is putting on general waste collections next Wednesday and Thursday instead, so please put your bin out then. For full details, click here.

Thursday, March 1 (1.15pm): A Northumberland couple braved the Beast from the East to tie the knot at Alnwick Treehouse yesterday. Read the full story.

Thursday, March 1 (1.10pm): Tweet from Northumbria Police: ‘We are still getting members of the public attempting to travel north on the A1. Avoid the area at all costs, the roads are extremely dangerous. All traffic is being diverted. The dangers of travelling in this weather are serious, if you don’t have to please stay where it is safe’.

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Thursday, March 1 (1pm): Police have received a report of an insecure roof on the Playhouse in Whitley Bay due to the bad weather. Local authorities are getting it secured as soon as possible, however a temporary cordon has been put in place. Due to the cordon, some roads are affected and parking may become an issue for parents picking up children from nearby Marine Park First School. The school has been notified and is taking precautions. Police are asking people to be careful when in the area.

Thursday, March 1 (12.34pm): Gallery of your pictures: The Beast of the East strikes Northumberland hereThursday, March 1 (11.58am): Go North East warns that services could finish earlier than usual again today, for the safety of customers and staff. A final decision will be made at 2pm.

Thursday, March 1 (11.45am): The cross-Tyne Shields ferry has been suspended from 2pm to 5pm due to the amber flood alert. A replacement mini-bus service will run between the north and south ferry landings.

Thursday, March 1 (11.30am): A1 road closure - Due to the hazardous weather, the section of the A1 between Alnwick and Berwick will be closed while the snow is cleared. This is estimated to take around three hours. Cars already stuck in traffic will be guided off to either find an alternative route or wait at a service station area until the road reopens. Police are urging people not to travel if it is not essential.

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Thursday, March 1 (11.14am): The Maltings theatre in Berwick has closed for the day - no performance tonight. They say: ‘Due to the weather, The Maltings will be closed today, Thursday, March 1. The Maltings Youth Theatre is therefore cancelled for this evening and all customers who bought tickets for tonight’s broadcast, NT Live: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof will be contacted by Box Office in due course. We will update as soon as we know we are re-opening.’

Thursday, March 1 (10.45am): The Environment Agency has issued a flood warning for Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth. Tides will be at their highest between 2.30pm and 3.45pm and large waves and spray are expected. A flood warning is also in place for the Tyne Estuary at North Shields, South Shields and Howdon Pans from 2pm to 5pm. Some overtopping and wind-blown spray is expected at North Shields Western Quay Promenade. This may cause localised standing water on roads and walkways. Read the full story here.
Thursday, March 1 (10.40am): Tynemouth Library is closed today. All other libraries are open but will close at 5pm.

Thursday, March 1 (10.35am): Tweet from Northumbria Police - ‘Our officers are still working hard on the A1 in northern parts. Only drive if it is essential. Advice to all HGVs - please pull over if travelling in the area. The roads are extremely bad in parts.’

Thursday, March 1 (10.30am): Northern would like to advise customers not to travel today between Morpeth and Chathill as the following services have been cancelled due to a signalling problem at Chathill caused by the weather. The cancelled services are the 17.38 Newcastle to Chathill and 19.11 Chathill to Hexham. The 05.55 Newcastle to Chathill and the 07.21 Chathill to Newcastle were cancelled earlier today. These cancellations mean there will not be a train service at Pegswood, Widdrington, Acklington or Chathill.

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Thursday, March 1 (10.15am): Virgin Trains East Coast has announced that trains will not run between Newcastle and Edinburgh for the remainder of the day. Dunbar will not be served.

Thursday, March 1 (10.05am): The A1 is at a standstill at North Charlton, north of Alnwick. Also problems on the A1 at Belford.

Thursday, March 1 (10.05am): School closure – Belford First School and Hexham Priory School, which are both closed today, have already confirmed that they will be closed tomorrow as well.

Thursday, March 1 (10am): Berwick Library, Tourist Information Centre, Customer Services and Archives are closed today due to severe weather conditions.

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Thursday, March 1 (9.55am): The following flights have been cancelled today from Newcastle International Airport - Dublin (11.20am); London Heathrow (12.05pm); Dublin (3.45pm); Bristol (3.55pm); London Heathrow (5.10pm): Bristol (7.10pm): London Heathrow (7.25pm): Cork (8.50pm); Dublin (10.30pm).

Thursday, March 1 (9.50am): The following Northumberland libraries are closed today - Allendale, Alnwick, Berwick, Hexham, Haltwhistle, Ponteland and Seaton Valley. Meanwhile, all three mobile libraries are off the road. Items can be renewed online or by telephoning 01670 505016 (this is an automated system and you will need your library card number). eBooks, eAudio and eMagazines are available to download.

Thursday, March 1 (9.40am): Alnwick Medical Group – Service updates for Thursday: The health visiting team have advised there will be no clinic in Alnwick today. To speak to a Health Visitor call 01665 650258. The town’s large Boots store is open 9am to 5.30pm, but the smaller one is closed. Well Pharmacy is open. However, Seahouses Boots - there’s no pharmacist so it will not be open. For more details, visit the Alnwick Medical Group Facebook page.

Thursday, March 1 (9.30am): Tonight’s meeting of Warkworth Parish Council has been cancelled. The next meeting will be on Thursday, April 5, at 6pm.

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Thursday, March 1 (9.25am): Northumbria Police Tweet –A warning for all HGV travelling on the roads today. The roads are very icy & we have had a number of HGVs struggling & jack-knifing, especially on the A1. Please avoid travelling if possible as it is expected to get worse throughout the day. Your safety is our top priority!’

Thursday, March 1 (9.20am): Virgin Trains East Coast - Owing to a snow drift blocking the line between Newcastle and Berwick no trains will be running in and out of Scotland. Southbound services from Edinburgh are planned to start from Newcastle and northbound services will terminate at Newcastle.

Thursday, March 1 (9.15am): Alnwick and Morpeth Chantry TICs are closed.

Thursday, March 1 (9am): A HGV has jackknifed on A1 northbound north of Clifton. All traffic is being held at the Alnwick Bypass. Please avoid the area and use an alternate route.

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Thursday, March 1 (9.10am): Due to adverse weather conditions all of the Household Waste Recovery Centres in Northumberland are closed today, Thursday 1st March. Every effort is being made to clear the sites ready for reopening on Friday but this may not be possible.

Thursday, March 1 (7.45am): The A197 between Morpeth and Clifton is currently blocked with vehicles due to drifting snow. Use Morpeth North for accessing A1.

Thursday, March 1 (7.25am): Northumberland County Council has cancelled all bin collections across Northumberland today. This is due to the ongoing severe winter weather and resulting difficulties in operating the bin collection service.

Thursday, March 1 (7.22am): Public transport alert from Northumberland County Council – Service 473 and 470 (both Wooler to Alnwick) and Service 15 (Alnwick to Thropton) have been suspended. They will all be reviewed at 10am today.

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Thursday, March 1 (7.20am): Virgin Trains East Coast – the following trains have just been cancelled: 7:30 Edinburgh to London King’s Cross due 11:51. 8:30 Edinburgh to London King’s Cross due 12:50.

Thursday, March 1 (7.15am): Arriva North East – Ashington Service update: X14 - Not operating beyond Longhorsley – therefore no service Longframlington - Rothbury - Thropton. X15 – operating between Morpeth and Alnwick via A1 only, unable to serve Felton, Hampeth and Shilbottle.

Thursday, March 1 (7am): Arriva North East service information. X15 and X18 – All services starting at Alnwick outstation are cancelled due to unsafe road conditions, not operating north or south; X15 and X18 operating out of Ashington are operating Newcastle to Morpeth to Amble only, unable to serve Warkworth; X20 – Operating Newcastle Ashington to Amble, unable to operate north of Amble, unable to serve Warkworth; X21 – Unable to serve Nedderton and operating from Red Lion to Cramlington via Hartlands or Moor Estate in Newbiggin; X22 – Currently Normal; 35 – Unable to serve Moor Estate in Newbiggin; 57 57A normal.

Thursday, March 1 (6.55am): Service 808 (Otterburn to Newcastle) has been cancelled.

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Thursday, March 1 (6.55am): Virgin Trains East Coast says that services are currently suspended between Edinburgh and Newcastle until at least 10am. Due to the severe weather conditions, there is no alternative. Dunbar will not be served.

Thursday, March 1 (6.40am): Tweet from Northumbria Police – ‘The #beastfromtheeast is still raging, our advice remains to only make essential journeys. Roads are icy underneath the falling snow and driving conditions remain treacherous. No major road closures’.

Thursday, March 1 (6.25am): Arriva North East’s Service X16 is operating between Newcastle and Morpeth only and will not serve Kirkhill due to adverse weather. Its Service X85 will be unable to serve Dickson Drive, Hexham due to adverse weather conditions. Arriva’s other Newcastle services operating but subject to delay due to road/weather conditions include Service 6, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 306, 555, 685.

Thursday, March 1 (6.10am): Virgin Trains East Coast – ‘Owing to the current weather conditions, customers who are booked to travel to or from destinations north of Newcastle today are advised to defer travel. Tickets will be valid for travel tomorrow!’

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Thursday, March 1 (6am): Northumberland County Council gritters have continued working over night with support from farming and other sub contractors in challenging conditions. Further heavy snow showers and high winds and drifting snow have made driving conditions treacherous county wide. Abandoned cars are now causing issues with ploughing on some roads across the county. The county council will continue to work 24 hrs throughout this weather.

Thursday, March 1 (4.25am): A68 from Corbridge to Ridsdale is now closed due to weather.

Wednesday, February 28 (9pm): In light of current and forecast severe weather conditions affecting the whole of Northumberland, the county council has decided to activate the Emergency Community Assistance Plan at Level 1, which allows the authority to react to ‘any situation whereby it considers that the community requires assistance beyond the normal day-to-day level’.

The county council has had internal senior manager meetings to discuss the authority’s response and has participated in a Senior Coordination Group (chaired by Northumbria Police) with various local partners.

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Actions to date have included the Winter Services teams carrying out road gritting and snow clearance, Care Trust teams ensuring the most vulnerable members of our communities are prioritised and served, often with the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Service, and the Communications Team providing the public, schools and staff with advice and reassurance.

These and other actions will continue for the foreseeable future and senior managers will meet again tomorrow morning to review the situation. It is likely that there will also be further multi-agency discussions.

The authority has not, at this stage, activated the Incident Support Room at West Hartford but this will be kept constantly under review.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.35pm): Virgin Trains East Coast has tweeted: ‘Customers with tickets for Thursday 01/03 and Friday 02/03 are advised to travel on their booked service where possible. Should your service be cancelled, please travel on the one immediately before or after this.’

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Wednesday, February 28 (7.30pm): Northumberland County Council says its teams are working round the clock to keep the county moving during the severe weather.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.40pm): Due to worsening weather conditions and safety concerns, Arriva North East has said that most of the Blyth services will start running off service between now and 8pm this evening, last journeys weather permitting can be found on its Facebook page.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.30pm): Northumberland County Council has issued a list of schools which are closed tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.25pm): Allendale Library and Haltwhistle Library will be closed tomorrow. Items can be renewed online or by telephoning 01670 505016. Please note that this is an automated system and you will need your library card number.

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Wednesday, February 28 (6.20pm): School closures for tomorrow – Whittingham C of E Primary School; Morpeth All Saints C of E First School; St Robert’s RC Voluntary Aided First School; James Calvert Spence College - Acklington Road; Richard Coates C of E; Tritlington C of E First School; Morpeth Collingwood School; Ellingham C of E Vol Aided Primary School; Whalton C of E Vol Aided Primary School; The Dales School; Red Row First School; Longhorsley St Helen’s C of E First School; Seaton Sluice First School.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.15pm): School closures for tomorrow – Abbeyfields First School; Bedlington Station Primary School; Netherton Northside First School; Duchess’s Community High School; Sele First School; Amble First School; Henshaw C of E Primary School; Greenhead C of E Primary School; Cramlington Village Primary; Wooler First School; Glendale Middle School; Hipsburn Primary School; Mowbray Primary School; Stamfordham Primary School; Acomb First School; Swansfield Park Primary; Blyth New Delaval Primary School; Heddon on the Wall St Andrew’s C of E Primary School.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.10pm): School closures for tomorrow – Corbridge C of E Vol Aided First School; Choppington Primary School; Ponteland Primary School; Bellingham First School; St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School; Pegswood Primary School; Cambo First School; Otterburn First School; Bedlington Whitley Memorial C of E First School; Amble Links First School; Shilbottle Primary School; Grange View C of E Vol Controlled First School.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.05pm): School closures for tomorrow – Ovingham Middle School; Prudhoe Castle First School; Ovingham C of E First School; Scremerston First School; Blyth Horton Grange Primary School; Belsay Primary School; Mickley First School; Stannington First School; Hexham First School; Broomhaugh C of E First School; Morpeth First School (Goose Hill); St Aidan’s RC Voluntary Aided Primary School.

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Wednesday, February 28 (5.40pm): Further flights have been cancelled from Newcastle International Airport. These are the 6pm to Aberdeen, the 10.30pm to Dublin, the 6.30am (tomorrow) to Paris and the 12.05pm (tomorrow) flight to London Heathrow. Visit the airport’s website for more details.

Wednesday, February 28 (5.35pm): Virgin Trains East Coast has said that, due to extreme weather, no trains will go north of Edinburgh from 18:00 today. Customers travelling to/from Scotland advised not to travel today or tomorrow. Tickets can be used on any Virgin Trains East Coast service on Friday, March 2.

Wednesday, February 28 (4.40pm): School closures for Thursday, March 1 – Blyth Newsham Primary School; Pupil Referral Unit Hepscott Park; Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School; West Woodburn First School; Embleton Vincent St Edwards C of E Primary School; Stakeford Primary School; Bedlington West End First School; St Cuthbert’s RC Vol Aided First School, Berwick; Guide Post Ringway Primary School; Harbottle C of E Voluntary Aided First School; Cramlington Hillcrest School; St Bede’s RC Voluntary Aided Primary School; Cambois Primary School; Greenhaugh First School; Wark C of E First School; St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy; Bedlington Station Primary School; Ponteland Community High School; Thropton Village First School.

Wednesday, February 28 (4.35pm): Northumbria Police has tweeted: ‘A1 at Rennington now open, but still expect delays whilst traffic gets moving again.’

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Wednesday, February 28 (2.40pm): Schools closures on Thursday at Norham st Ceolwulfs, Holy Trinity First in Berwick, Hugh Joicey First in Ford, Barndale House School, New Hartley First, Berwick Children’s Centre, Scremerston First, Bellingham Middle, Swarland Primary, Prior Park First in Tweedmouth, St Mary’s First in Berwick, Beaconhill Primary, Cramlington Eastlea Primary, Grove School in Berwick, Cleaswell Hill, Berwick Middle, Lowick First, Tweedmouth Middle, Spittal First, Newbrough Primary, Coquet Children’s Centre, Alnwick Children’s Centre.

Wednesday, February 28 (1.55pm: Berwick Academy will be closed on Thursday.

Wednesday, February 28 (1.50pm): Borders Buses has cancelled service 235 and all Berwick town services until tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, February 28 (1.30pm): According to the national BBC weather forecast, Boulmer has had the highest snowfall in the country today at 21cm.

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Wednesday, February 28 (12.05pm): Alnwick Harriers have postponed this Saturday’s North East Harrier League cross-country fixture, which was due to take place at Alnwick Pastures. The club is working to re-organise the fixture.

Wednesday, February 28 (12.05pm): A three-vehicle collision on the A1 northbound involving three HGVs has blocked the carriageway around three miles north of Alnwick. Nobody has been seriously injured but the road will be closed for a while as police deal with the incident. The road is moving southbound, but is slow.

Wednesday, February 28 (11.50am): The Met Office has issued a red weather warning for snow in Scotland, including just north of Berwick, from 3pm today to 10am on Thursday. Read more hereWednesday, February 28 (11.05am): Highways England tweeted: ‘#A1 #Alnwick We are currently working with our pre-positioned recovery @northumbriapol to clear stranded LGVs - We are working as quickly and safely as possible to get everyone moving. If you become stranded please remain with your vehicle. Consider re arranging travel plans.’

Wednesday, February 28 (10.35am): Police have tweeted: ‘Lots of issues affecting roads in rural Northumberland today. Had a few reports of issues in the Doddington area of Berwick where a number of vehicles have got stuck. There’s reports of up to 4ft of snow there which shows just how treacherous the roads are. #StaySafe’

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Wednesday, February 28 (10.30am): The A192 is going to be closed again due to ongoing issues with the road surface this morning. This will only be a temporary closure as the local authority grits the road in question. This closure will be in place between the junctions for the B1326 and the A1061 in Northumberland.

Wednesday, February 28 (9.45am): Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s Hauxley reserve is closed today. The entry track and minor roads through from High Hauxley and Amble are extremely treacherous, with snow knee deep in parts where it has drifted, and members of staff without 4x4s have been unable to get up to the car park.

Wednesday, February 28 (9.35am): The A192 between Stannington Station Road and Hartford Bank is now passable, with care. Police had reports of 20 cars broken down in the area earlier this morning.

Wednesday, February 28 (9.20am): NHS ‘Join our journey’ roadshow and Berwick hospital development listening exercise drop-in sessons postponed for the rest of this week and will be re-scheduled.

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Wednesday, February 28 (9.15am): Police are at the A192 between Stannington Station Road and Hartford Bank in Northumberland as a number of vehicles are stuck in the snow. Police hope to get things moving in this area as soon as possible. There are also reports of the A1 blocked between Warenford and Ellingham due to a jackknifed HGV.

Wednesday, February 28 (9.10am): School closures – Kielder Community First School, Amble Links First School, Glendale Middle School, Hipsburn Primary School,

Wooler First School, Swarland Primary School, Ellington Primary School, Meadowdale Academy, Blyth Newsham Primary School and Stakeford Primary School.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.45am): Blueline Taxis has cancelled the following routes - 7892, 5683, 9861 and 2088.

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Wednesday, February 28 (8.40am): Bamburgh Castle is closed today.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.35am): School closure - Morpeth First School (Goose Hill).

Wednesday, February 28 (8.30am): School closures - Hugh Joicey C of E First School, James Calvert Spence College, Acklington Road, Grange View C of E Vol Controlled First School, Morpeth All Saints C of E First School, Henshaw C of E Primary School, Greenhead C of E Primary School, Blyth New Delaval Primary School, Hexham First School, Nunnykirk School, Sele First School, Prudhoe Adderlane First School, Guide Post Ringway Primary School, Morpeth Stobhillgate First School, St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy, Ovingham Middle School, St Peter & Paul’s Catholic Academy.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.20am): News from Northumbria Police - The A1 is currently closed at Adderstone in Northumberland in both directions due to two incidents involving HGVs getting stuck in the snow. They are at the scene to try to get things moving but there is heavy congestion and delays.

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Wednesday, February 28 (8.10am): School closure - Berwick Academy.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.08am): School closures – Longhorsley St Helen’s C of E First School, St Mary’s C of E Middle School, Belford, Belsay Primary School, Cambo First School, Pegswood Primary School, Highfield Middle School, Astley Community High School, Bedlington West End First School, Croftway Primary Academy, St Robert’s RC Voluntary Aided First School, Whalton C of E Vol Aided Primary School.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.07am): All AA Taxi school transport services in Alnwick and surrounding areas have been cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.06am): The following Travelsure Services (public/school transport) have been cancelled: 418 Alnwick to Berwick; T01 Alnwick to Amble; 890 Wooler to Berwick; 8903 Haggerston to Berwick; 834/828 Seahouses to Alnwick.

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Wednesday, February 28 (8.04am): The 8249 service Dunstan to Embleton Primary School transport service is cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (8.02am): The following adult-learning centres are closed due to the severe weather and learners should not attend sessions today. The closed centres are: Berwick Adult Learning Centre at Berwick Walkergate Library; Lindisfarne Centre Alnwick; Open Learning Centre at King Edward VI School Morpeth; Northumbria House, Cramlington; Ashington Construction Centre; Blyth Brunel Centre; Bedlington Open Learning Centre; Prudhoe FUSE Media Centre; and Hexham Gatehouse.

Wednesday, February 28 (8am): All routes into The Pupil Referral Unit at Hepscott Park are cancelled due to weather conditions.

Wednesday, February 28 (8am): School closures - Whittingham C of E Primary School, Warkworth C of E First School, Branton Primary School, Bedlington Whitley Memorial C of E First School, Blyth Malvin’s Close Primary Academy and Stamfordham Primary School are all closed.

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Wednesday, February 28 (7.50am): School closures – Ellingham C of E Vol Aided Primary School, Bellingham Middle School, Ashington High School Sports College, Whitfield C of E Voluntary Aided Primary School, Bedlingtonshire High School, Whittonstall First School and Darras Hall Primary School are all closed.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.46am): School closures – Broomhill First School, Belsay Primary School, Lowick C of E Voluntary Controlled First School, Bellingham Middle School and Seaton Sluice Middle School are all closed.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.43am): School closure – St Paul’s RCVA Primary School, Alnwick, is closed.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.39am): School closure – St Michael’s CE Primary School, Alnwick, is closed. The school has had to postpone its residential to Ford due to unsafe driving conditions.

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Wednesday, February 28 (7.37am): School closure – Duchess’s Community High School, Alnwick.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.36am): School transport alert. All routes operated by T.W Bell (Stamfordham) are cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Routes cancelled are 360, 362, 363, 365, 367, 368, 164.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.35am): School transport alert. Jewitt Coaches Route 0111 (Allendale to Haydon Bridge) and Route 0123 (Simonburn to Bellingham) have been cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.32am): School closures - Bedlingtonshire High School and Bellingham First School.

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Wednesday, February 28 (7.25am): Northumbria Police has said that there are a number of issues on the road this morning and are urging people not to drive unless it is absolutely necessary. Police are warning motorists that there is a lot of black ice around.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.23am): Public transport alert. PCL Travel Route 808 Otterburn to Newcastle is cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.22am): School transport alert. The 7478 Alnwick to Collingwood School transport cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.21am): School closure – Swansfield Park Primary School, Alnwick.

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Wednesday, February 28 (7.20am): School Transport Alert. Plumline Coaches – no school transport running today, Routes cancelled are 5501, 0131, 0130, 0116, 0118, 0137, 0173 and 0109.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.20am): Public Transport Alert. Borders Buses Service 267 (Wooler to Berwick) and 464 (Wooler to Berwick) cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.15am): School transport alert. School Transport Services (PCC TRAVEL) 470 and 473 Wooler to Alnwick’s Duchess’s Community High School cancelled.

Wednesday, February 28 (7.10am): School transport alert. Border’s Buses Service 8901 (Canty’s Bridge to Berwick schools) cancelled.

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Wednesday, February 28: (7.05): School closure – Cramlington Hillcrest School.

Wednesday, February 28 (7am): The Arriva X14 service (Morpeth to Thropton) is terminating at Longhorsley.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.50am): School closures – Morpeth Chantry Middle School, Morpeth Newminster Middle School, King Edward VI School, Ponteland Middle School, Seaton Sluice First School and Blyth Morpeth Road Primary Academy.

Wednesday, February 28 (6.45am): Newcastle Airport says that, following heavy snow showers, its operational teams are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and keep the runway clear. There may be some delays as the runway is cleared and passengers are advised to check the latest flight information on its website. So far, the departing 6.50am to Aberdeen and the 11.55am London Heathrow flights have been cancelled.

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Wednesday, February 28 (6.40am): School Transport Alert. Rothbury Motors has cancelled the 331 route (Longframlington to King Edward VI School), the 330 route (Longhorsley to King Edward VI School), the 832 route (Longframlington to Swarland), the 336 route (Snitter to King Edward VI School), the 338 route (Alwinton to Thropton), the 3303 route (Harbottle to Thropton) and the 339 route (Alnmouth to Morpeth Chantry).

Wednesday, February 28 (6.25am): All Northumberland County Council gritters have been out overnight supported by all of its farming sub-contract resources. Driving conditions are difficult and vary from area to area. High winds and dry snow have caused drifts to be almost anywhere and in excess of 1m inland.

Tuesday, February 27 (8.15pm): Squally snow showers and strengthening winds in the Berwick area. Temperatures at the Letham Shank weather station in Berwick are currently -2C.

Tuesday, February 27 (6.30pm): Drivers are being urged to be prepared before setting out on journeys after Highways England issued a severe weather alert lasting until midday on Thursday. The amber ‘be prepared’ alert comes into force at 3am tonight following a Met Office forecast for scattered snow showers affecting much of the North East overnight. Highways England’s gritting teams will be working around the clock to treat roads and keep traffic moving, with up to 8cm of snow expected quite widely in Northumberland and County Durham, as well as on trans-Pennine routes.

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Tuesday, February 27 (4.30pm) For those with children at school north of the border, Scottish Borders Council announces that all its schools, including Eyemouth High and Berwickshire High in Duns, will be closed on Wednesday.

Tuesday, February 27 (4.10pm): School closure alert. Thropton Village First School; Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School, in Rothbury; Harbottle C of E Voluntary Aided First School; and Netherton Northside First School will be closed tomorrow due to adverse weather conditions.

Tuesday, February 27 (1.55pm): Consultation Meeting Cancelled – Netherton Northside First School. Due to weather conditions the meeting arranged for today at 2pm at Netherton Northside First School for parents and the community has been cancelled. Further details regarding an alternative date/time will be advised as soon as possible.

Tuesday, February 27 (1.30pm): The Met Office upgrades Thursday’s warning of snow in Northumberland and the North East to amber ‘be prepared’, with up to 40cm possible in the hills, and has extended the alerts to the weekend. Full story here.

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Tuesday, February 27 (1.25pm): Based on the most recent weather forecast, Northumberland County Council plans to carry out precautionary gritting on all routes from 7pm today and again at 1am tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 27 (11.30am): North East England Chamber Commerce Chamber Local, due to take place at Seaton Delaval tomorrow, has been postponed until March 14 because of the snow.

Tuesday, February 27 (11.10am): Tyne & Wear Fire and Rescue service warns people to only go out if it’s absolutely necessary, wrap up warm and drive carefully.
Tuesday, February 27 (10.35am): Cragside, in Rothbury, is closed today and tomorrow due to severe weather conditions. It is hoped that it will reopen on Thursday.

Tuesday, February 27 (10am): NEED Ltd operator of routes 1109 (Greenhead Primary) and 8257 (Whittingham Primary) is unable to operate these routes this morning due to adverse weather conditions.

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Tuesday, February 27 (9.30am): Northumbria Police has just tweeted:The A68 is currently experiencing a lot of issues near to Risdale in rural Northumberland. Please avoid that route if possible as a number of HGVs have been getting stuck in the area. We will update you when we can on the conditions in this location.’

Tuesday, February 27 (9.25am): Virgin Trains East Coast has tweeted: ‘Despite #BeastFromTheEast and #Snowmageddon we’re still planning on running a full service today!’

Tuesday, February 27 (9.23am): Driving in snow and ice – expert advice on how to cope with a skidTuesday, February 27 (8am): School transport alert. Mitchells Mini Coaches Route 1087 Cornwood to Haltwhistle route is cancelled due to adverse road conditions.

Tuesday, February 27 (7.55am): School closures. The following schools have been closed: Nunnykirk School; Kielder Community First School; Otterburn First School; Greenhaugh First School; West Woodburn First School.

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Tuesday, February 27 (7.50am): Drivers have been warned to take care after lorry overturned on busy dual carriageway in Washington. The incident occurred earlier this morning on the A1231 eastbound, near the A182. Northumbria Police tweeted: “This has now been cleared so the road should be passable this morning ahead of the busy rush hour. However, it shows just how slippy the conditions can be so please drive carefully.”

Tuesday, February 27 (7.25am): School transport alerts. The following routes have been cancelled:

Jewitt Coaches Bingfield to Barrasford route cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Jewitt Coaches Route 0117 - Bellingham to Haydon Bridge High School route cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

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Jewitt Coaches Route 0111 - Allendale to Haydon Bridge High School cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Jewitt Coaches Route 0123 - Simonburn to Bellingham Middle School cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Plumline Coaches Route 0122 Byrness to Bellingham Middle School cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Plumline Coaches Route 0116 Byrness to Haydon Bridge High School cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

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Service 1334 Alnsford to Whittonstall First School is cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Service 1334 Alnsford to Whittonstall First School is cancelled due to adverse road conditions;

Stanley Travel Service 1315 Shotley Bridge to Whittonstall Village is cancelled;

Stanley Travel Service 1305 Shotley Bridge to Whittonstall Village service is cancelled;

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Stanley Travel Service 1303 Allensford to Whittonstall Village, service cancelled.

Tuesday, February 27 (7.15am): Plumline Coaches Route 0131 Otterburn to Hexham schools is cancelled due to adverse road conditions.

Tuesday, February 27 (7.10am): School closure - Bellingham Middle School and Bellingham First School are both closed due to severe weather conditions.

Tuesday, February 27 (7am): Heavy snow showers overnight have made for difficult driving conditions. Depth of snow on untreated roads may vary in depth across the region.

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All Northumberland County Council gritting crews have been out across the county since midnight ploughing and gritting the primary gritting network. Additional farming subcontractors have also been out overnight supporting the snow clearing operation. Only make journeys if necessary and if the journey is required please go prepared.

Monday, February 26 (5pm): RSPCA says: ‘Don’t forget your pets as snowy weather arrives’ Read more here.Monday, February 26 (2.15pm): Drivers are being urged to be prepared before setting out on journeys after Highways England issued a severe weather alert for tomorrow in the North East. Full story hereMonday, February 26 (2.10pm): The NHS is urging people across the North East and North Cumbria to take care of themselves and their neighbours as freezing weather blows in this week. Follow this link for the full story

Monday, February 26 (1.20pm): As Northumberland battens down the hatches for the Beast from the East, the county council is gearing up for the blast of wintry weather heading to the region this week.

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Monday, February 26 (12.17pm): Here’s how to find out if your flight is delayed or cancelled due to the Beast from the East storm. Read more here.

Sunday, February 25 (3.50pm): The Met Office has upgraded its snow warning for the North East, including Northumberland. Forecasters have now issued an amber warning for the region, between 4am and 9pm on Wednesday. Originally, they only issued a yellow warning.