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25/02/2009
Britain Experienced 'Coldest Winter For A Decade'
Mild weather is expected to see out what remains of winter, the Met Office has said.
However, despite this, it is expected to be the coldest UK winter since 1995/96, the provisional Met figures has shown.
The low temperatures have also been accompanied at times by heavy snow. During early February, the heaviest snowfall for 18 years was experienced over many areas in the UK.
Although cold, this year's low temperatures are put into context to the all-time minimum UK figures, of -27.2C in Scotland, in 1895, and a historic low of -26.1C, in England (1982) and -23.3C, in Wales (1982).
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's coldest recorded temperature was -17.5C (1979).
The cold weather has been in contrast to the run of very mild winter temperatures that have been recorded over recent years.
Natural variability of climate means that the UK will continue to see spells of colder weather at times. Although, if it had not been for the general warming already observed in global temperatures, this winter may well have been colder.
Peter Stott, Climate Scientist at the Met Office said: "Despite the cold winter this year, the trend to milder and wetter winters is expected to continue, with snow and frost becoming less of a feature in the future.
"The famously cold winter of 1962/63 is now expected to occur about once every 1,000 years or more, compared with approximately every 100 to 200 years before 1850."
The cold and wintry conditions caused havoc throught the UK, with schools and roads closed due to the heavy snow.
London buses were pulled from service and a number of train services linking London and the south coast were also delayed or cancelled as snow fell on the tracks.
Gatwick Airport and London City Airport were also both temporarily closed, as their runways were de-iced.
(JM/BMcC)
However, despite this, it is expected to be the coldest UK winter since 1995/96, the provisional Met figures has shown.
The low temperatures have also been accompanied at times by heavy snow. During early February, the heaviest snowfall for 18 years was experienced over many areas in the UK.
Although cold, this year's low temperatures are put into context to the all-time minimum UK figures, of -27.2C in Scotland, in 1895, and a historic low of -26.1C, in England (1982) and -23.3C, in Wales (1982).
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's coldest recorded temperature was -17.5C (1979).
The cold weather has been in contrast to the run of very mild winter temperatures that have been recorded over recent years.
Natural variability of climate means that the UK will continue to see spells of colder weather at times. Although, if it had not been for the general warming already observed in global temperatures, this winter may well have been colder.
Peter Stott, Climate Scientist at the Met Office said: "Despite the cold winter this year, the trend to milder and wetter winters is expected to continue, with snow and frost becoming less of a feature in the future.
"The famously cold winter of 1962/63 is now expected to occur about once every 1,000 years or more, compared with approximately every 100 to 200 years before 1850."
The cold and wintry conditions caused havoc throught the UK, with schools and roads closed due to the heavy snow.
London buses were pulled from service and a number of train services linking London and the south coast were also delayed or cancelled as snow fell on the tracks.
Gatwick Airport and London City Airport were also both temporarily closed, as their runways were de-iced.
(JM/BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
