Big Freeze
Many areas of Britain were covered in snow yesterday as icy winds sent temperatures plunging below freezing.
The cold weather caused demand for electricity to soar to its highest peak since the 1930s.
Winds with an artic “chill” factor, which made temperatures of –2C feel like –18C, forced householders to turn up their heating.
The demand for electricity peaked on Monday as workers arrived home and attempted to warm up freezing houses.
Snow fell yesterday in several parts of Southern England including the West Country, Kent and Berkshire.
Metmen forecast that the cold winds blowing from Russia would continue until at least Friday. The bitter weather also brought tragedy.
High winds near Wandsworth Common, South London, sent a tree crashing onto a BMW, crushing it. The couple inside died as the car exploded in flames.
A Met Office forecaster said: “There will still be a chilly feel right into the weekend with lots of rain and sleet, all quite horrible.”
Bookmakers cut their odds about a white Christmas from 4/1 to 3/1 after a flurry of wagers by punters.
A London businessman put on 850 £1 bets, saying that he planned to hand them to friends as presents.
source: Daily Express
