New record low -10.9C!
Reporter: Beatriz Ayala
Date published: 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.”
