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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5. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
A motorist struggles to clear deep snow away from his car in the Big Freeze of 1963. Photo: The News archive
6. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Ice floes in the Solent and surrounding Spitbank Fort in February 1963. Photo: The News archive
7. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
North Street, Chichester in the snow. Milk had to be delivered by tractor. Photo: The News archive
8. The Big freeze of 1962 and 1963
Seen returning to Portchester through the ice in the 1963 winter is the Malaysian patrol boat K.D. Sri Kedah. Photo: The News archive