Even Portsmouth Harbour iced over in the Big Freeze of '63 | Nostalgia

The big freeze started in December 1962 and carried on through January and February before ending in early March 1963.

Published 29th Nov 2020, 16:00 BST

Big Freeze cars stuck near Horndean, 1963.

It began with an easterly wind reaching the UK on December 22, as an anticyclone formed over Scandinavia and continental winds blew in from Russia.

That winter was one of the coldest on record in the UK and led to huge snowfall and disruption on the south coast, including in Portsmouth. As you can see, even sea water froze.

We'd love to see your pictures of the Big Freeze of 1962/63. Please email them, with your details and a description of the photo, to [email protected]

Wendy Stacey clearing snow in Fawcett Road, Southsea, winter 1963.

• A message from the editor, Mark Waldron.

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Portsmouth Harbour Russia

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