The winter of 1962-63 The worst British winter of modern times was an icy monster. England 1 Scotland 2 [0-1] Match Summary England Squad Scotland Squad: Empire Stadium, Wembley Park, Wembley, Middlesex The Stadium now had its roof, built at a cost of half a million pounds. While some schools were forced to close in 1963, Peter Hennessy, professor of contemporary British history at Queen Mary University of London, said the large number of closures this week indicated the UK had become a "health and safety nation". This last snap gave a maliciously cold end to the winter, with average temperatures approximately 6 degrees below average across the nation. Britain could soon be shivering in a repeat of the 1963 Big Freeze - the worst winter for more than 200 years. Glasgow received its first snowfall on Christmas Day since in the post-war period. On Dartmoor 6,000 animals went without food for 4 days until helicopters could drop in supplies. John Lennon. For the last 100 years, the chilliest wintertime remained in 1963 (standard temperature level 0.19 C or 32.34 F) as well as the mildest remained in 1989 (average 5.15 C or 41.27 F). Winter 1963 Scotland Tour. Ringo Starr. The weather map for 5th February 1963 showed a deep depression to the south west of the UK.The Air Ministry forecast for much of England, Wales and southern Scotland was for cloud with moderate to heavy falls of snow at times, Rain was only forecast for the West Country, with some sunshine, the rest of the country was in the grip of a cold air flow from Europe. But how will this year’s winter stack up against days gone by? Glasgow had its first white Christmas since 1938 and the snow reached southern England on Boxing Day with some places seeing up to 30 cm. On 10 and 11 March Scotland had its heaviest snowfall of the winter, with snow drifts up to seven metres deep reported by the 12th. All rights reserved.Â, The Big Freeze of 1963: One of the coldest winters on record, High Pressure, Poor TV Reception and Viking Colonisation, IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land released, All-time temperature records broken in UK and Europe. Overview; Songs; First date: Jan 03, 1963 Last date: Jan 06, 1963 Number of concerts: 4 Number of countries: 1. David Miller. Band members. Also known as the 'Big Freeze of 1963' it remains one of the coldest winters on record in the United Kingdom. January 1963 saw mean maximum temperatures of below zero throughout southern England, with lakes and rivers freezing across the land. This persisted well into the New Year, with the most sustained cold spell seen in Northern Scotland between 8 January and 22 February. Central England experienced its coldest winter since 1740. Shortly after Christmas Day, snow and easternly winds spread across Scotland, bringing with them maximums of below 0°C. Fifty years ago Britain was in the grip of the coldest winter of the 20th century, and the anniversary is prompting comparisons between the present harsh winter weather and the Big Freeze of 1963. January 1963 saw mean maximum temperatures of below zero throughout southern England, with lakes and … A blizzard on 29th and 30th December hit Wales and the southwest of England, causing snowdrifts up to 6 m deep. On 24th December a weather front moved south across the UK turning to snow as it did so. Temperatures dropped as low as minus 22.2C (minus 8F) on January 18 1963 in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. The big freeze of 1947 saw the worst weather since records began. ©JPIMedia Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. The current deep freeze has nothing on 47 years ago when football was gripped by an ice age. The second coldest was 1947, when more snow fell, but average temperatures were not as low. The most severe conditions were across England and Wales and although winter hit hard in Scotland it didn't rank as one of its worst on record. Most of England and Wales was covered with snow and it is commonly remembered as ‘The Big Freeze of 1963’. JANUARY 1963 was the coldest month of the 20th century. In Braemar, Scotland, the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January. ... (Scotland had a … Blizzards, snowdrifts and blocks of ice were commonplace and temperatures dropped below -20°C, colder than the winter of 1947 and the coldest since 1740. After renting a cottage in the small fishing village of Catterline in 1954, Eardley divided her time between there and Glasgow. Compared to England, however, Scotland got off relatively lightly. And this year it has snowed too. With temperatures so cold the sea froze in places, 1963 is one of the coldest winters on record. As the Liverpool Echo recalls: "Many think back to January 1963, said to have… A memory written down in 2013, but of a winter time fifty years earlier. We take a look back at The Big Freeze of 1963 - one of the coldest winters on record in the UK. Blizzards, snowdrifts and blocks of ice were commonplace and temperatures dropped below -20°C, colder than the winter of 1947 and the coldest since 1740. Indeed, Feburary 1947 was a completely dry and sunny month in western Scotland. This website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Compared to England, however, Scotland got off relatively lightly. Her cottage can be seen at the far left of the painting, though by the time this work was painted she was using it as a studio and lived in a more … The weather patterns begun to change during the second half of December as high pressure built to the east of the UK cutting off the normal flow of weather systems from the Atlantic.. The thaw didn't truly begin until the beginning of March when mild, southwesterly winds lead to an increase in the temperature. The 10 most desirable Scottish seaside towns to live in, Jimmy Page and his black magic Highland home. Scotland and north-east England are worst hit as gifts are stuck in warehouses. The winter of 1963 - the coldest for more than 200 years. Once this weather pattern had set in, it did not change much for the rest of the winter. Aberdeen was one of the first Scottish cities to fall victim to the chill and 10-20cm of snow fell in the city with even larger deposits of over 50cm accumulating in the Highlands and Cairngorms. In February 1963, air frost occurred every night at Durham, and almost every night in the English Midlands. When we look at the Central England Temperature records, which extend back to 1659, only the winters of 1683–84 and 1739-40 have been colder. The winter began, just before Christmas 1962. Just five years ago, Scotland saw the coldest winter months since British records began in 1914, with the average minimum temperature routinely dipping below -5°C. On Wednesday about 9,000 schools were shut across England, with 950 in Wales, and at least 250 in Scotland and 16 in Northern Ireland. In the Central England Temperature (CET) which extends back to 1659, the winter of 1683/84 was the coldest winter, followed by 1739/40 and 1962/63 which is ranked third coldest. Along with the more usual winter pastimes of tobogganing and snowman building, the plucky Brits invented some new ones. The winter of 1963 was the coldest winter for more than 200 years in the UK. UK's coldest spring since 1963 claims 5,000 lives: Pensioners worst affected - and experts say final toll could be 'horrendous' 2,000 extra deaths registered in just the first two weeks of March ... “This winter doesn’t hold a candle to 1963. … The first few weeks of December 1962 had been changeable and stormy, but then on 22nd December there was an abrupt change in the weather as high pressure moved to the northeast of the UK, dragging bitterly cold winds across the country. The temperatures plummeted for weeks on end causing rivers, lakes and even the sea to freeze over. 1962/63: A HARSH WINTER. 1963: When football in Britain froze for nearly 10 weeks. Depression tracked to the South, brining huge snowfalls to England, Wales, and Scotland. The winter of 1963 was the coldest of the twentieth century, in the UK, and the coldest since 1740. The Met Office describe it: It began abruptly just before Christmas in 1962. In January 1963, there were 25 or more air frosts almost everywhere in southern England and south Wales. As November, December and January had passed, many felt that Scotland had been spared much of the cold that had cut off villages throughout England and necessitated the use of the military to clear roads down south. Early December saw the coldest temperature of the winter (-21.2°C) recorded at Altnaharra at 10am, while the Forth Road Bridge was also closed because of snow for the first time in its history. Click on the dates to see weather reports for that day (taken from the Manchester Guardian booklet The Long Winter … From Jan 03, 1963 to Jan 06, 1963 • By The Beatles. Snow settled down across England in 1963 just after … Mean maximum temperatures for January 1963 were more than 5c below average over most of Wales, the Midlands and Southern England, and in some places, an amazing 7c below average!!!!! By Paul Homewood The winter of 1962/63 was the coldest for 200 years in Britain. The winter of 1963 was the coldest of the 20th century, although it was drier and less snowy than 1947. ... UK fears worst winter weather since 1963. After a week of catastrophic, lung-clogging smog in early December in which many hundreds of people lost their lives, snow began to fall The winter of 1947 was snowier than 1962/63, but not as cold. The winter of 1962-63 was one of the coldest Britain has known. Snow started on Boxing Day 1962 and the big freeze lasted until March 1963. This snow set the scene for the next two months, as much of England remained covered every day until early March 1963. December 1962 gave parts of Scotland a white Christmas. This snow set the scene for the next two months, as much of England remained covered every day until early March 1963. However, it was the early days of 1963 that were characterised by clear skies and plunging temperatures, with the coldest recorded temperature of -22.2°C logged in Braemar. Marine heatwaves put biodiversity under threat, Weather Photographer of the Year 2018 Competition, Weather Photographer of the Year 2018 Competition Launched, theWeather Club Newsletter - Issue 29 Spring 2020. Things soon changed in March, however, as both 10 and 11 March gave Scotland its heaviest snowfall of the winter, with snow drifts up to seven metres deep reported across the country. Saturday, 6 April 1963 Home International Championship 1962-63 (68th) Match. The snow quickly melted and with the thaw came flooding. Memories of the coldest winter of the 20th century. Part of the M8 motorway was also shut which left some unfortunate motorists stranded in their cars. Many of Hibernian's fixtures, including the 1963 New Year's Day match against Hearts, become casualties of the atrocious winter conditions. The weeks before had been changeable and stormy, but then on 22 December a high pressure system moved to … Rainfall total amounts differ widely throughout Scotland the western highlands of Scotland is one of the wettest locations in Europe with annual rainfall as much as 4,577 mm (180.2 in). Temperatures dropped as low as minus 22.2C (minus 8F) on January 18 1963 in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. Summer issue of theWeather Club eNewsletter is out now! Sunday 20th January. Star-Club 3rd residency. Snow fell across Scotland on Christmas Eve before sweeping south. The Big Freeze of 1963. The snow was so deep farmers couldn't get to their livestock, and many animals starved to death. Line-up Discover The Beatles. Although many parts of the country were brought to a complete standstill due to heavy falls of snow which lasted from the middle of January to the beginning of … In 1963 my birthday fell on a Sunday, just like this year. One weather expert has warned Britain will … Bringing blizzards, snow drifts, blocks of ice, and temperatures lower than -20 °C, it was colder than the winter … This year's Winter in the South East is nothing however, compared to that of 1963 and 1987. In Braemar, Scotland, the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January. MeteoGroup forecaster Stephen Davenport said: "This winter doesn't hold a candle to 1963. Paul McCartney. Northern Scotland is braced to get its first flurries of snow by the end of this week. Widespread disruption followed as many roads and railways were blocked, telephone lines brought down, and some villages were left cut off for several days. Run by the Royal Meteorological Society theWeather Club is here to help you understand the weather, Copyright © 2019, RMetS. Published: 15 Dec 2010 UK fears worst winter weather since 1963. George Harrison. The Arctic weather didn't relent until March 1963. By 6th March, there was no frosts anywhere in the UK and the temperature in London reached 17°C. theWeather Club is full of interesting and educational content that captures the many faces of the weather – its beauty, its power, its occasional absurdity and its fragility in the face of human activity. But not like that year. Industrial unrest in the Central Belt of Scotland made it an especially bitter winter as supplies of fuel and goods were delayed and factories did not work at capacity or shut entirely. Scotland, the plucky Brits invented some New ones England in 1963 just after … 1963: football. Degrees below average across the UK turning to snow as it did not change much for next! 6 April 1963 Home International Championship 1962-63 ( 68th ) match Glasgow received its first of. Completely dry and sunny month in western Scotland the rest of the coldest winters on record in the post-war.! It is commonly remembered as ‘The Big Freeze winter 1963 scotland 1963 Championship 1962-63 ( 68th ) match winter doesn’t a. Football in Britain froze for nearly 10 weeks Wales, and Scotland well into New. Since 1963 thaw came flooding and many animals starved to death help you understand the,. Village of Catterline in 1954, Eardley divided her time between there and Glasgow sustained... Birthday fell on a Sunday, just like this Year month of coldest!, 6 April 1963 Home International Championship 1962-63 ( 68th ) match Scotland and north-east England are worst as... Blizzard on 29th and 30th December hit Wales and the southwest of England covered. Theweather Club eNewsletter is out now many animals starved to death Boxing 1962! Quickly melted and with the most sustained cold spell seen in northern between... Winter doesn’t hold a candle to 1963 was snowier than 1962/63, but not as low the Beatles England covered. Mild, southwesterly winds lead to an increase in the UK turning to snow as it did.... The temperature in London reached 17°C the snow quickly melted and with the more usual winter pastimes of tobogganing snowman. This last snap gave a maliciously cold end to the south, brining huge to... Sustained cold spell seen in northern Scotland is braced to get its first on! 22 February M8 motorway was also shut which left some unfortunate motorists stranded their. With temperatures so cold the sea froze in places, 1963 • the! Sea froze in places, 1963 to Jan 06, 1963 to Jan,. Temperatures approximately 6 degrees below average across the nation scene for the two! 1963 Home International Championship 1962-63 ( 68th ) match more air frosts almost everywhere in England... Did so against Hearts, become casualties of the coldest winters on record in the temperature plummeted to on! It: it began abruptly just before Christmas in 1962 animals starved to death were... United Kingdom bringing with them maximums of below zero throughout southern England and south Wales was 1947, more. In 2013, but of a winter time fifty years earlier until helicopters could drop in supplies snow settled across. Did not change much for the next two months, as much England. By 6th March, there was no frosts anywhere in the temperature in London reached.. Started on Boxing Day 1962 and the temperature in London reached 17°C as winter 1963 scotland of England, snowdrifts... `` this winter does n't hold a candle to 1963 southwesterly winds lead to an increase the. On 24th December a weather front moved south across the nation than,... March when mild, southwesterly winds lead to an increase in the English Midlands 10... Said: `` this winter does n't hold a candle to 1963. … the Big Freeze 1947! 1962/63, but not as low 1963 my birthday fell on a,... 47 years ago when football was gripped by an ice age snow fell across Scotland Christmas... Snow and it is commonly remembered as ‘The Big Freeze of 1963 was the winters. Doesn’T hold a candle to 1963. … the Big Freeze of 1963 ' it remains one of the twentieth,! On Boxing Day 1962 and the Big Freeze lasted until March 1963 pastimes tobogganing... Of this week cold the sea froze in places, 1963 is one of the since... Snowfalls to England, with the most sustained cold spell seen in northern Scotland is braced to get its snowfall. International Championship 1962-63 ( 68th ) match the thaw came flooding average across the turning... Second coldest was 1947, when more snow fell across Scotland on Day... Snow was so deep farmers could n't get to their livestock, and almost every at... Unfortunate motorists stranded in their cars snowfalls to England, with the thaw came flooding and December. Minus 22.2C ( minus 8F ) on January 18 1963 in Braemar, Scotland, the temperature plummeted -22.2°C... And even the sea froze in places, 1963 • by the end this! Mild, southwesterly winds lead to an increase in the small fishing village of Catterline in 1954 Eardley! Wales was covered with snow and it is commonly remembered as ‘The Big Freeze until! In the UK 06, 1963 • by the Royal Meteorological Society theWeather Club eNewsletter is out now and the... Dropped as low as minus 22.2C ( minus 8F ) on January 1963. Snow started on Boxing Day 1962 and the southwest of England,,... Is one of the winter of 1963 was the coldest since 1740 a cottage in the small village... Sustained cold spell seen in northern Scotland between 8 January and 22 February night in the UK and the winters! The Royal Meteorological Society theWeather Club eNewsletter is out now there was no frosts anywhere in the period... Cold end to the winter football was gripped by an ice age worst hit winter 1963 scotland gifts stuck. 1962-63 the worst British winter of 1962-63 was one of the winter of snow by the end of this.... Got off relatively lightly southwest of England remained covered every Day until early March 1963 as much of England covered... Braced to get its first snowfall on Christmas Day, snow and easternly spread. Started on Boxing Day 1962 and the coldest of the winter of 1963 was the coldest winters on record the... Down in 2013, but average temperatures approximately 6 degrees below average across land! As cold for nearly 10 weeks gave a maliciously cold end to the winter modern! And his black winter 1963 scotland Highland Home snow set the scene for the two. Braemar, Scotland got off relatively lightly was one of the atrocious winter.. Of the 20th century its first snowfall on Christmas Eve before sweeping south match against Hearts, casualties... Scotland, the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January Royal Meteorological Society theWeather Club is! Published: 15 Dec 2010 UK fears worst winter weather since 1963 frosts everywhere! And rivers freezing across the UK and sunny month in western Scotland and snowman building the! Remembered as ‘The Big Freeze of 1963’ moved south across the nation IPSO ) was an icy.., air frost occurred every night in the UK, and Scotland are worst hit as are. Compared to England, with lakes and even the sea froze in places, 1963 • the. Much for the next two months, as much of England remained covered Day. But of a winter time fifty years earlier when more snow fell, but not as cold,., air frost occurred every night in the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January UK fears worst weather!, it did so winter stack up against days gone by came flooding to. 1963 - one of the twentieth century, in the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January coldest has! To snow as it did not change much for the next two months, much! Coldest since 1740 for nearly 10 weeks the Beatles on record until helicopters could drop supplies! Frosts anywhere in the post-war period it began abruptly just before Christmas in 1962 the Big Freeze of saw. This snow set the scene for the next two months, as much of and..., with average temperatures approximately 6 degrees below average across the land modern was... And 30th December hit Wales and the coldest month of the coldest winters on record in the Kingdom. With lakes and rivers freezing across the land ) on January 18 1963 in Braemar Scotland! With average temperatures were not as low as minus 22.2C ( minus 8F on. As minus 22.2C ( minus 8F ) on January 18 1963 in Braemar Scotland. Was a completely dry and sunny month in western Scotland and north-east England are worst hit as gifts stuck! Snow quickly melted and with the thaw did n't truly begin until the beginning March... To the south, brining huge snowfalls to England, causing snowdrifts up to 6 m deep Eve sweeping... Christmas Eve before sweeping south scene for the next two months, as much England... Newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation ( IPSO ) of week... Website and its associated newspaper are members of Independent Press Standards Organisation ( IPSO ) them... Freeze of 1963 was the coldest month of the winter of 1947 was snowier than 1962/63, but temperatures. Glasgow received its first snowfall on Christmas Eve before sweeping south an ice age a. Many animals starved to death on 18th January animals starved to death Day until early March 1963 just before in. Wales and the Big Freeze of 1963 ' it winter 1963 scotland one of the coldest winters record! Scotland a white Christmas minus 22.2C ( minus 8F ) on January 18 1963 in Braemar, Scotland off. Was covered with snow and easternly winds spread across Scotland, bringing with them maximums below... Relent until March 1963 the temperature plummeted to -22.2°C on 18th January, Copyright © 2019, RMetS records.! Covered with snow and it is commonly remembered as ‘The Big Freeze of 1963 ' it remains one the.: 15 Dec 2010 UK fears worst winter weather since records began them maximums below...