BEAST FROM THE WEST

. . . The UK is sneezing in sub-zero temperatures in the Big Freeze . . . For some Zimbabweans, it’s the first feel of UK’s winter brutality

AFTER a generally mild winter, and the hottest Christmas Eve in about 36 years, some Zimbabweans, who moved to work in the United Kingdom last year, must have been wondering what has been all the fuss about the brutal cold conditions at their new base.

Scientists blame climate change for the warmer conditions which are in stark contrast to what used to happen in the past in places like the UK.

During the 1946/47 winter snow fell for 55 consecutive days, between January and March, in the UK.

When it melted, rivers burst their banks, causing widespread floods and, in areas like Bedfordshire, temperatures plunged to as low as -21 degrees Celsius.

Last month, the UK enjoyed its warmed Christmas Eve since 1977 as temperatures hit as high as 15.3 degrees Celsius in south-west London.

So, for many of the Zimbabweans who moved to the UK last year, the common question among them was probably about why they were being fed with stories about the brutality of the British winter.

Overnight on Tuesday, they got the real taste of what winters can feel like at their new base as temperatures fell as low as -14 degrees Celsius

in some parts of the UK.

It was coldest night of this winter, as new amber warnings are issued for heavy snow showers in Scotland later, and a generally bleak week throughout.

Tuesday evening was the coldest January night since 2019, the Met Office said.

The brutal conditions affected football matches across the lower leagues of the UK with many games in the National League being postponed because of frozen pitches.

There was also mayhem on the roads.

Bitter conditions and significant snowfall forced schools to remain closed in Scotland yesterday amid yellow warnings for ice and snow across all four UK nations.

Forecasters said last night could see the coldest January night for 14 years.

By the end of Friday, more than 40cms of snow may be seen on high ground in northwest Scotland while snow, sleet and rain are expected to continue blanketing northern parts of the UK.

Heavy frosts and freezing conditions are likely across virtually the entire country, with experts warning of treacherous pavements and roads.

“It is still one of the coldest January nights in the last five years,” Met Office forecaster Liam Eslick said. — MailOnlne/H-Metro Reporter.