Siberian blast freezes Britain to coldest since 1995: Minus 23 Celsius

A fountain covered in icicles is seen in Trafalgar Square, London, Britain February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

Britain recorded the lowest temperature in 26 years on Thursday after a bitingly cold blast of Siberian weather swirled in from Russia, pushing temperatures down to minus 23 Celsius in the Scottish Highlands.

The temperature in the village of Braemar fell to minus 23C (minus 9.4 Fahrenheit) at 0813 GMT, the lowest temperature recorded since 1995, and the lowest February temperature in Britain since 1955 when Winston Churchill was still prime minister.

Biker drives past a narrow boat on a frozen canal in Little Venice, London, Britain February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

"We can now confirm that last night was the coldest February night across the UK since 23rd February 1955," Britain's national meteorological service said. "That includes the infamous winter of 1962/1963."

Swathes of Britain have been bathed in snow for days after the cold spell swept in from Scandinavia and Russia: roads were blocked, the fountains in Trafalgar Square froze and children tried to toboggan in London parks.

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Michael Holden)

A person walks past a snow-covered house in Braemar, Scotland, Britain, February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

A woman jogs along a frozen canal and narrow boats in Little Venice, London, Britain February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

A snow-covered car is seen in Braemar, Scotland, Britain, February 11, 2021. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne