PARTS of Britain have experienced record low temperatures, including minus 17 Celsius in Wales, forecasters say, amid warnings of more heavy snow to come.
“You are seeing some ridiculously low temperatures – it has been a bit like it is in the middle of Scandinavia,” weather forecaster Michael Dukes said.
The temperature in Llysdinam near Llandrindod Wells in Wales plunged to minus 17.3C at the weekend – the principality’s lowest ever temperature for November and Britain’s coldest for the month since 1985.
The Met Office, Britain’s national forecaster, issued severe weather warnings yesterday for large chunks of eastern and southern Scotland and eastern England, warning of heavy snowfalls.
Ireland also experienced heavy snow and Dublin airport was disrupted, with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan among those delayed as the weather made him late for crucial EU talks in Brussels on an international bailout for his country.
Drivers have been urged to be careful in badly-hit areas, and roadside emergency firms in Britain reported a huge surge in calls for help.
The weather has also disrupted several sporting events – Dundee United’s match against Rangers in Scotland’s Premier League was abandoned and several FA Cup second round fixtures were postponed.
Parts of Scotland and north-east England have already seen well over 30cm of snow since the start of the cold snap last week, and forecasters say the flurries could reach London in the coming days.
Britain’s lowest ever recorded temperature in November was minus 23.3 Celsius in Braemar, in the Scottish Highlands, on November 14, 1919.
The unusual weather has been caused by high pressure over Greenland and low pressure in the Baltic, forcing cold winds from the north-east across Europe.
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