The
Surprising Facts About Extreme Cold in the UK
When we think of extreme cold, places like Antarctica or Siberia may come to mind. However, the UK has its fair share of super cold weather events as well. Here are some surprising facts about extreme cold in the UK:
1. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the UK was -27.2°C (-17°F) in the Scottish Highlands in 1995.
Although the UK is not known for its frigid temperatures, it can get really chilly in some parts of the country. The Scottish mountains, for instance, can experience temperatures that rival those in the Arctic. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the UK was in Altnaharra, a remote village in the Highlands, where the mercury plummeted to an astonishing -27.2°C (-17°F) on December 30, 1995.
2. There have been several instances of frozen waterfalls in the UK.
Believe it or not, the UK has its own frozen waterfalls. These spectacular ice formations are a rare sight, but they do occur during periods of extreme cold. Some of the most famous frozen waterfalls in the UK include Helm Crag in the Lake District, which turned into a solid ice pillar in 2010, and the Falls of Clyde in Scotland, which was frozen solid during the winter of 2010-2011.
3. The coldest inhabited place in the UK is Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands.
If you're looking for a place where the cold never lets up, head to Dalwhinnie in the Scottish Highlands. This tiny village, which is situated at an altitude of 1,154 feet (352 meters), is officially the coldest inhabited place in the UK. In fact, it holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded in the country, with a bone-chilling -23.3°C (-9.9°F) on January 10, 1982.
4. The UK's native ponies have developed a unique adaptation to survive the freezing temperatures.
The UK is home to several hardy breeds of ponies that have adapted to the harsh conditions of the countryside. One of the most interesting adaptations they have developed is the ability to shiver voluntarily. Unlike humans, who shiver when they're cold, ponies can shiver even when they're warm, which generates heat and helps keep them warm during the winter months.
5. The UK's weather is influenced by the polar vortex.
The polar vortex is a large-scale cyclonic circulation in the Arctic atmosphere that can sometimes break down and send cold air spilling southward. Although the UK is not located in the Arctic, it can still be affected by the polar vortex, which can bring extreme cold spells and heavy snowfall to the country. In fact, the "Beast from the East" event in February and March 2018, which brought freezing temperatures and widespread snowfall to the UK, was caused by a weakened polar vortex.
In conclusion, the UK is not immune to extreme cold weather, and it can experience some surprisingly low temperatures and other unusual phenomena during the winter months. From frozen waterfalls to hardy ponies, these facts reveal the hidden cold of the UK.