Winter arrived with a vengeance in North and East Yorkshire today as the region was lashed by torrential rain and snow.

As 90mph winds lashed the south of the country, wintry downpours hit York and surrounding areas.

Thick snow fell in Harrogate and six inches was reported in the Yorkshire Dales.

Standing water was the main problem on roads close to York as deep tracts of water formed across many highways, making for a dangerous drive to work at rush hour.

Particularly affected were the roads into York from Stamford Bridge, Pocklington and Elvington, while flooding was reported on the A19 north of the city and in the villages of Long Marston, west of York, and Rillington, near Malton.

The Environment Agency issued flood watches for the North York Moors area including the River Derwent in Malton and its tributaries, the River Leven in Great Ayton and Stokesley and the small becks around Saltburn and Skinningrove.

A spokesman said residents should remain on alert and should check flood warnings regularly.

Meanwhile, there was flooding in York as prolonged downpours over the weekend swelled the River Ouse.

Caroline Hickey, manageress at York riverside pub The Lowther, said: "We're asking the council for sandbags because the water is coming in the cellar. But we will be open as usual."

Environment Agency flood warnings were still in place today (Mon) for the River Ouse at Naburn Lock and from Clifton Bridge to Fulford, although only walkways were said to be affected.

In the centre of York, King's Staith and Queen's Staith were covered by the swollen Ouse, although the properties prone to flooding escaped serious problems.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said she expected the river to peak this evening but could not say how far above normal the river would be, as the agency was still monitoring the situation.

City of York Council took the decision to close all its public parks as a safety measure in response to today's poor weather.

A city council spokesman said: "We have had no reports of any damage but at the moment, but the wind appears to be picking up and we feel this is the right decision to take to ensure public safety."

Wind was responsible for more damage in York as trees blew down in Burnholme Avenue and Wigginton Road.

A spokesman for the PA Weather Centre said he expected this October to be the wettest since 1987 in Yorkshire and across the country.

He said snow was unusual for October but was falling because Yorkshire was in cold air to the north of the vicious Atlantic system over the southern half of Britain.

However, he had more encouraging news for the weather outlook over the next few days.

He said the rain would die away today, with sunshine and showers likely for the rest of the week.

"It will be more like autumnal weather. But as the ground is so saturated at the moment, any rain at all is not good," he said.