"However, Piers Corbyn, from the long-range forecaster Weatheraction,
predicted that temperatures would fall as low as minus 17C (1.5F) in
mid-January, with heavy snow in the South East. Mr Corbyn said: "This could
make this January the coldest since 1987."

Stephen Davenport, senior meteorologist at MeteoGroup, the weather division
of the Press Association, said: "Apocalyptic predictions verging on
prophecies of a new Ice Age need to be put into perspective. There is no
doubt at all that it will feel bitterly cold, especially on Thursday and
particularly in the eastern half of Britain.

"Strong, raw winds from the east will bring a significant wind chill and
showers of sleet and snow. In the middle of winter such conditions are
hardly unknown though, and in fact could be far, far worse. Indeed, some
people in the western half of the country might be left wondering what all
the fuss is about."

This week's brief freeze is likely to have disappeared by the weekend, as
milder and occasionally wet and windy weather arrives from the west."

But they still had that headline of -17C



Happy New Year

JT Solihull