Thread: UK: Forecasters warn Christmas could be cancelled as cold

Hayden Smith - 7th December, 2010

Forecasters warn Christmas could be cancelled as cold weather grips UK

Christmas will have to be put on hold this year as the ‘once in a lifetime’ cold snap threatens to tighten its grip on ice-bound Britain, forecasters are warning .


Forecasters warn Christmas could be cancelled as cold weather grips UK (Reuters)

Festivities are facing a white-out with the return of snow next week and Arctic conditions set to continue beyond the 25th.

It means drivers are being warned not to travel in the run-up to Christmas, when millions hit the roads to visit relatives or to do last-minute shopping.

Chaos across the transport network could mean gifts sent through the post do not arrive in time and shops will run low on food and other essentials.

AA spokesman Gavin Hill-Smith said: ‘If it is really treacherous then people may well have to delay travelling and have their Christmas the following week. Safety comes first.’

The earliest widespread wintry blast for 17 years has already crippled the transport network and claimed at least 13 lives.

Forecasters predicted a brief respite this weekend but a fresh six inches of snow could fall next week, with temperatures plummeting as low -20C in Scotland and northern England. There is no sign of a let-up before the festive period and a strong possibility of a white Christmas.

Brian Gaze, of independent forecaster The Weather Outlook, said: ‘This cold spell is a once-in-a-lifetime event. We’ll probably never see it again.’

The Highways Agency said salt stocks were ‘well established’, adding: ‘We are well prepared for winter and everything that can be done will be done to keep roads open.’

Video and photos at the link:

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/849754-fore ... r-grips-uk

It has certainly been a weird December here in NC. We have had some snow already in Raleigh, plus the cold we are seeing is what usually comes in January or February. Both of these events are VERY rare. Usually the Brits have it pretty much like we do because of the Gulf Stream, which affects NC as well. Wonder if something's going on with that? Hmmmm....