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31 Dec 07 - Temperatures are set to plummet to -17C (1.4F),
forecasters warned last night. The New Year will begin with a freezing
cold snap that will sweep across the country, causing "havoc"
in its wake. An even icier Arctic blast is forecast later in the month.
Sleet and snow are expected in many parts over the next few days, and
spells of freezing weather are set to last until the end of February.
The Highways Agency has already put 500 gritting vehicles on standby to
cope with the predicted snowfall.
Piers Corbyn, from long-range weather forecasters WeatherAction, said:
"It is likely to be one of the six coldest Januarys for 100 years
and is expected to include at least one exceptionally cold spell,
similar to that experienced in January 1987 and the legendary January of
1740 when biting, strong, easterly winds and snow wreaked severe havoc.
"There is likely to be a number of days when temperatures in many
parts stay below freezing all day. The lowest night temperatures in
parts of the Midlands, Northern England or Scotland could be as low as
-17C (1.4F) or possibly colder."
The Met Office expects temperatures to plunge from a mild 10C (50F) to
-4C (25F) overnight in northern areas by Thursday.
Robin Downton, of the Met Office, predicted snowfall in the East and
North of England and eastern Scotland on Wednesday, possibly spreading
to the Midlands, East Anglia and the South on Thursday.
Jonathan Powell, senior forecaster at Positive Weather Solutions, said:
"During February we will see an extended cold snap. We would expect
it to be much colder than January. "We would expect many days where
the temperatures struggle to get above freezing. There will be harsh
frosts and snow at the start and the end of the month."
See entire article by Jane Wharton, Daily Express
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/29879
Thanks to James P. Madden and Geoff Alder for this link
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