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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13. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Milk being delivered by farm tractor and trailer in Cherry Close, Lee-on-the-Solent, during the big freeze in December 1963. Photo: The News archive
14. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Curling on Chichester Canal during the Big Freeze. Photo: The News archive
15. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Big Freeze - Cars stuck near Horndean 1963 Photo: The News archive
