The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice covering Washington and the wider Tyne and Wear area, with travel disruption expected to begin on Thursday evening. The warning is active from 7:00pm on Thursday 12 February 2026 until 12:00pm on Friday 13 February 2026.
Forecasters say a mixture of rain, sleet and snow will make roads and pavements slippery during the Thursday evening commute and the Friday morning school run. Drivers using major routes such as the A1(M) and the A1231 are being advised to allow extra time for journeys as traffic is likely to move more slowly.
Gritting teams from Sunderland City Council are prepared to treat primary routes across Washington, though smaller residential streets and estate roads may remain untreated and icy. Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, has urged passengers to check service updates and operator notices before travelling in case of bus or Metro cancellations or delays.
People walking on untreated footpaths should take extra care to avoid slips on icy surfaces. Local schools, including Washington Academy and Biddick Academy, will monitor conditions and make decisions about any closures or delays by early Friday morning; headteachers typically aim to finalise such decisions before the start of the school day.
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