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This Winter is mild compared with 1963!

The winter of 1962–1963 (also known as the Big Freeze of 1963) was one of the coldest winters on record in the United Kingdom. 

That year the UK had one of its worst winters in living memory.

The snow started on Boxing Day 1962 and the big freeze lasted until March.

Lakes and rivers froze across the country amid biting temperatures and there were even patches of ice on the sea. Huge ice boulders formed on beaches and blizzards caused snowdrifts up to 20ft (6m) deep.

The Arctic conditions meant thousands of schools closed, telephone lines were brought down and power cuts hit thousands of homes.

Snow blocking the Wroxham to Potter Heigham road at Ludham during the frozen winter of 1963.

Snow blocking the Wroxham to Potter Heigham road at Ludham during the frozen winter of 1963.

Temperatures dropped as low as minus 22.2C (minus 8F) on January 18 1963 in Braemar, Aberdeenshire.

January that year was the coldest month since 1814. There was snow everywhere and strong winds from the north and east. It was unremittingly cold. Most of England and Wales had a blanket of snow right through the month.

In February 1963 a huge snowstorm struck Northern Ireland, south west England and Wales. That led to a fall of nearly 5ft (1.5m) in Tredegar in Monmouthshire – an outstanding amount of snow.

 What do  you remember about the Winter of 1963?

 

 

 

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Mother of three grown-up daughters I am the ultimate multi-tasker and am passionate about my role as Silversurfers Website Editor and Social Media Manager. Always on the lookout for all things that will interest and entertain our community. Fueling fun for the young at heart!

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