It began with a cold easterly wind reaching the UK on December 22, as an anticyclone formed over Scandinavia and cold continental winds blew in from Russia.
The winter of 1962–63 was one of the coldest on record in the UK and led to huge snowfall and disruption on the south coast, including in Portsmouth.
Temperatures plummeted and the long bitterly cold spell caused lakes, rivers and even sea water to freeze in some harbours as it all turned to thick ice.
The winter freeze ended at the start of March when a mild south-westerly flow of air eventually reached the British Isles.
Here are some images from our area to illustrate just how bitterly cold it was.
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9. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Langstone Mill at Langstone harbour 1963. The News PP4898 Photo: The News archive
10. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Eleven-year-old Lee Bryant on the left with the hood, playing ice hockey on Baffins Pond, Baffins, Portsmouth, during the winter of 1963 Photo: The News archive
11. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Ice floes in Portsmouth Harbour in the winter of 1963. This picture was taken from Camper and Nicholson's yard by Mr AJ Brickwood. Photo: The News archive
12. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Fareham Creek frozen solid in January 1963 Photo: The News archive