The winter of 1962 to 1963, also known as the Big Freeze of 1963, saw temperatures plunge across the country.
Lakes started to ice over, snowdrifts blocked roads, and the chilly spell held the nation in its icy grip for several months. This assortment of photographs transports us back to that era, demonstrating that Yorkshire folk simply do it better.
Despite the freezing conditions, children were constructing igloos, groups were playing football in the snow, and some even managed to enjoy a cuppa while clearing the roads.
Just a couple of years prior in 1961, the coldest winter on record had been experienced. Little did the residents of Yorkshire know that in 1963, the mercury would drop even further, reports Yorkshire Live.
That subsequent winter set a new record, becoming the chilliest Christmas ever with temperatures reaching -4 degrees on Christmas Day itself.
It wasn’t until the notorious December freeze of 2010 that temperatures plunged so low again, dropping to -19C at Topcliffe, near Thirsk – the lowest ever recorded in Yorkshire. 2021 also witnessed a significant cold snap, when the temperature fell to -15.3C in Ravensworth, North Yorkshire, in February.
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