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New record low -10.9C!
Reporter: Beatriz Ayala
Date online: 07 January 2010
ICY roads and sub-zero temperatures greeted morning commuters following what is believed to have been our coldest-ever night.
The big freeze saw temperatures plummet to -10.9C (12F) at 2am today, the lowest recorded temperature, with daytime figures failing to get above freezing.
It was the second record low in a week, breaking the -10.7C record set on Monday
Oldham Chronicle weatherman Damian Rodgers said: “The icy weather should remain with us for the next seven days if not longer, with potentially more record-breaking low temperatures.
“Heading into the weekend, it should be very cold but quite sunny. We might have the odd snow shower especially on Sunday but nothing significant.
“The snow could cause the temperatures to warm up a bit but it might also remain too cold to snow.”
Ice closed the A627M motorway northbound last night for 90 minutes from Oldham to the Middleton exit at Slattocks.
Motorists were turned away at 6pm when the carriageway became impassable due to the freezing conditions.
Police called in Highways Agency gritters and the motorway reopened around 7.30pm. Traffic officers said that because of the low volume of traffic on the roads there was little knock on effect. A total of 14 out of 116 schools across the borough were open today, although some only open for half a day.
Parents should visit their children’s school website, or contact them via telephone to find out more.
Supermarkets have reported a hike in sales of cat litter, up by 55 per cent according to Asda, as worried residents used it as an alternative to grit the roads.
Councillor Mark Alcock said: “The grit is coming into Oldham as expected with constant, daily deliveries. There is no need for residents to worry.”
Comments
I think many Oldhamers could tell you that.
Thrl: Yes you are spot on there. I'm surprised an official weatherman has been taken in by that old wive's tale. What usually happens is after a clear sky with cold temperatures the weather warms slightly with cloud cover as snow comes in. However, it is never too cold to snow.
Many thanks to the bus drivers who despite difficult conditions got me into town to do some much needed shopping,and the council lads doing a great job clearing the snow in the town centre making it safer for everone.Its the easiest thing in the world to complain when we are faced with these artic conditions,but I think we should pause for a while and thank those people who are working in difficult conditions to make life more bearable for us.
Hahaha Thrl....funny....and confirmed...-22 and blizzards last year in BC Canada...nobody missed work...no schools closed...no roads closed...hmmm....moved here 6 years ago...never coming back lol
Like my dad always says "they cant get it right the day after" haha
14 out of 116 schools were closed. What a surprise, any excuse for lazy teachers to have yet another day off and parents suffer the consequences and loss of wages. There is no reason for many of them being closed except sheer laziness. Will Half term be a week less to cover this closure or will it just be even MORE time added to the FOURTEEN weeks holidays they already have!
Don't know if you've noticed 'Oldham Watcher' but this weather has caused huge disruption in all areas not just schools. Teachers are no more or less lazy than any other profession. Are undertakers lazy because funerals have been cancelled or perhaps doctors are lazy because operations have had to be postponed? The facts of the matter are that we live in an age of litigation and compensation and schools no longer dare open in circumstances such as these.
Glad i dont live there anymore (in Shaw), give me the AUSSIE heat anyday.
Mr Tick,Where are you? I am also in BC. It's the best place on earth.
Now that it appears to be the norm for OMBC employees to be forced to take the days between Christmas and New Year as either their annual holiday or they must make up the time - I wonder if school teachers, who are after all council employees, are forced to make up the time for the school closures?
Just think how bad it'd be if it wasn't for global warming!
Councillor Mark Alcock said: “The grit is coming into Oldham as expected with constant, daily deliveries. There is no need for residents to worry.”
if it'd been laid early enough in the first place the snow wouldnt have stuck so much.
Have Your Say
Damian Rodgers ace weatherman. Sounds like he gets his forecasts from his grandmother with his warming up if it snows or it could be too cold to snow. There is no such thing as too cold to snow. Any Siberian or Canadian could tell you that.
By Thrl @ 07/01/2010 15:11:06