The UK's "Big Freeze" of January 2010

In January 2010 a severe cold wave gripped the UK. It included the coldest January in the UK since 1987 of -22.3 deg. C in Altnaharra, Scotland on 7th January.

This picture, taken at 10 am on Wednesday 6th January 2010 and shows heavy snow falling in Hove, Sussex and overnight abandoned cars at the side of the road by the park, that could not climb the hill due to snow and ice on the road.

Schools and colleges were closed and many people worked from home. Two students can be seen building a snowman beside a snow-covered road, lined with parked and abandoned cars during a heavy winter snowfall.

Note that Sussex has many winters when no significant snow falls, so this was unusual.