Feeling chilly? Oldham’s colder than Moscow

OLDHAM shivered in sub-zero conditions last night, with more icy weather forecast.

Overnight temperatures plummeted to -4°C, with similar conditions forecast for tonight. Temperatures throughout the day remained below freezing, and international weather reports revealed Oldham was colder than Moscow and Helsinki.

Damian Rodgers, the Oldham Chronicle’s weatherman, said it would remain dry for at least five days, followed by a possibility of snow. He said it was too early to predict accurately, but if snow did come it would be on Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

People planning fireworks parties to welcome in the New Year could be battling against misty skies.

“It won’t be cloudy, but sometimes clear skies bring mist, so it’s a bit hit and miss,” he said.

Damian takes daily weather readings from his home in Waterhead, from where he said Oldham had experienced its coldest December in 12 years. He said it was the first time this year that it had been so cold, and was the longest cold snap, and the coldest year overall since 2001. The chilly first half of December in Oldham was also the coldest for 27 years — since 1981.